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2006
Track & Field Outlook
WOMEN:
The 2006 Women’s Track & Field team looks to continue its impressive upward momentum. This year’s team has improved their depth and return many of their top performers from 2005. “We are very young…15 of the 30 women on the team are Freshmen…how they adapt to the college scene will determine the level of team success the Generals will see in 2006,” states third year head coach Nate Hoey.
"This year’s team has an excellent blend of experience and youth…The talent demonstrated by the newcomers this fall is a sign of good things to come. Combine that with the performances of some of our returnee’s and the cross country season this fall and we are really excited about the 2006 year." This dynamic combination of youth and experienced talent should continue the outstanding individual performances seen in recent years and lead to a rise in team success come championship time.
Here is a breakdown of the events:
Sprints, Hurdles & Relays:
The Sprint, Hurdle & Relay crew will be a strength for the 2006 Generals. The sprint, hurdle and relay events will look to Junior Co-Captains Sara Behmerwohld and Huntley Rodes to lead a large, young and talented group into the 2006 season. Both were members of the 2005 record breaking indoor 4x400 and outdoor 4x100 relay teams, as well as placing in the 55 meter hurdles, 100 hurdles and 400m hurdle events. “ Sara and Huntley are the anchors of this team…they have developed and learned a lot over their first two season and are excited to do some big things both individually and as a team this season.” Sophomore Diana Dozier gained valuable experience in her freshmen season and is ready to move up in the conference standings this year as a 400 meter specialist. Also looking to spread out from her jumping duties will be junior Cagla Defterali. The long and triple jumper will look to add depth to the sprint and relay crew.
Adding an immediate punch to the sprint and hurdle crew will be a talented Freshmen class of Caroline Davis, Stacy Doornbos, Tara Hildenbrand, Katie Kern, Jamila Seaton, Stephanie Stelter and Laurel Stewart. “This is a very strong group…they are looking to step right in and make a big impact” said Coach Hoey. The experience combined with the eager and talented youth will make the sprint, hurdle and relay crew an exciting one to watch!!
School Record Breaking 4x100m and 4x400m Relay
Meredith Walker, Huntley Rodes, Kim Gunst and Sara Behmerwohld
Middle Distance & Distance:
The Middle Distance and Distance crew will be a force in 2006 and will look to make a big impact on the conference scene. Returning Co-Captain Mary Christopher and junior All-Conference runners Jenny Ratzel and Blair Haws combined with sophomore Lauren Morea, Jessica Buckingham and senior Liz Twentyman who will all team up with Freshmen Jackie Burns (ODAC cross country individual champion), Jennifer Janes, Regina Mills, Sarah Ratzel, Becca Taylor, and Elizabeth Webb will make up a formidable distance crew which looks to build on the success of their fall Cross Country season where for the second year in a row they won the ODAC Championship and had a 4th place finish at the NCAA Regional Championship meet (finishing just 2 points out of 3rd).
Back To Back ODAC Championship Women's Cross Country Team
Jumps:
The Jumps will be another strong area for the Generals in 2006.
Junior Co-captain Huntley Rodes and Sophomore Liz Brandler will lead the way for a talented and deep jump squad. Rodes placed in the triple jump in 2005, while Brandler had an outstanding freshmen season breaking indoor and outdoor school records in the both the triple jump and pole vault. With an 11’3 PR last season, Brandler also provisionally qualified for the NCAA championships and earned Academic All-American honors. Cagla Defterali made big improvements last year scoring in both the long and triple jumps. Sophomore Erin Vaughn, who was hampered with an injury during her freshmen season …is healthy, strong and looking to add more depth to the jumping crew.
Youth will again add much needed depth to the Jumps. Freshmen Stacy Doornbos, Alysen Kuck, Alisha Laventure, Jamila Seaton, and Laurel Stewart are a talented group of jumpers who will make some noise on both the conference and national levels right away.
Throws:
Newcomers will take charge in the Throws. The Generals graduate All-Conference athlete Emily Barker. First year thrower, Sophomore Darla Dixon and junior Cagla Defterali coupled with new multi-event specialist Alysen Kuck will put a boost in the throwing crew this season. “The throws group is young and talented…as they continue to develop and gain experience watch out for this group said Coach Hoey.”
MEN:
The men’s Track & Field team boasts their largest roster in recent years…including their biggest freshmen class ever. 15 freshmen will add much need depth to specific event areas which will give the Generals more power come championship time. The men’s team is very young. 26 of the 31 team members are Freshmen or Sophomores. The distance events, jumps and throws will be the biggest strengths for the 2006 Generals. The team will look to carry over the success from the fall cross country season which saw the harriers win their second consecutive ODAC championship.
Here is a breakdown of the events:
Middle Distance & Distance:
Coming off their second consecutive ODAC Cross Country Championship and a 4th place finish at the NCAA Regional Championship the depth and talent of the distance crew will be a force for the 2006 Generals. Senior Co-Captain Andrew Johnson and sophomore Alex Mahoney will lead the group. Johnson scored in both the 1500m and the 5000m and was a member of the record breaking Distance Medley Relay team. All ODAC and All-Region runner Alex Mahoney finished 2nd at the 05 Cross Country Championships and also placed in the 5,000m at the 2005 ODAC championships.
Sophomore Tom Brower, hampered with an injury during his freshmen season is back and looking to do some damage in a big way. He will be joined by fellow sophomores Arie George, Jack Jeong, Michael Keenan, and Steve Rivoir.
Freshmen Vance Berry, Anthony Ives, Alex Jackson, Robbie Varipapa and Michael Welsh will look to make their mark right away in the distance events.
2004 & 2005 ODAC Cross Country Champions
Jumps:
Youth will lead the way in the jumping events. Returning Junior Ryan Edge and Senior Co-Captain Michael Stanton will be looked upon to lead a young and talented corps of jumpers. Stanton has tremendous work ethic and will look to move up in the ODAC standings. Edge placed third in the High Jump for the past two years and will look to challenge for the title in 2006. He will be joined by freshmen Peter Martinez, a Massachusetts state High Jump place winner, who will look to immediately contend for conference title in the High Jump as well as make a splash in the Long and Triple Jumps. Fellow Freshmen Drew Martin, the Arkansas State Pole Vault Champion has tremendous drive and will look to contend in the vault right away. Fellow classmate Brad Bender is an explosive athlete who will look to add a much needed presence in the Long Jump. Freshmen Hansen Babington will also add depth to the High Jump.
Junior Jumper Ryan Edge
Sprints, Hurdles & Relays:
The sprint and hurdle crew will benefit from a large number of new faces and returning sophomores. Larry Clark anchored the men’s 4x100m relay at the 05 ODAC Championships. He will make his presence known in both the short sprints and hurdle events. Marshall French will look to move up in the 400m and Wilson Robinson looks to build on the experience gained in his freshmen season in the 400 hurdles.
Classmates Will Holliday and Matt Harrison will add depth in the long sprints and relays. Freshmen Peter Martinez, Drew Martin, Brad Bender, Chip McCoy and Sean Hurdiss look to make their mark on the track in the sprint events. The large group will make for a strong 4x100m and 4x400m relay pool.
Sophomore Sprinter and Hurdler Larry Clark
Throws:
Junior Andrew Fischer will lead a strong group of freshmen throwers in 2006. Andrew Fischer placed in the Javelin and will look to compete for the title in 06. Freshmen Hansen Babington, Scott Russell and Ben Wilson are an explosive and talent group who will be looked upon to do some big things right away. Babington is a talented Discus thrower while Russell and Wilson will create a strong punch in the shot put
Junior Thrower Andrew Fischer
Click Here For The Generals 2006 Meet Schedule
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