TicketsMarch 13, 2006
FOR STARTERS:
The outdoor track and field teams will open the 2006 season by hosting the Early Bird Relays on Saturday, March 18. The Bearcats will host athletes from 11 institutions in Gettler Stadium, with field events starting at 11 a.m.
BEARCAT BITES:
UC enters its first season of competition in the BIG EAST Conference in 2006. The conference features 16 men's and women's track & field teams, constituting the largest league in the nation. The 2006 BIG EAST Championships will be held on May 5-7 at the 's George J. Sherman Family Sports Complex.
The UC indoor track and field team finished 14th at the BIG EAST Indoor Championships.
Seniors Kenny Wade (200 meters), Ashley Wilhelm (long jump, heptathlon), Shintara Carpenter (triple jump), junior Renee Hein (javelin), and sophomore Birttany Klima (pole vault) are current school record holders.
Head men's coach Bill Schnier is in his 26th season at in such a capacity. Head women's coach Jim Schnur is in his 22nd year at and his sixth as head coach.
LAST YEAR'S EARLY BIRD RELAYS:
The Bearcats opened the 2005 outdoor season at Gettler Stadium, playing host to the Early Bird Relays on March 19. The men's team captured the Early Bird title, while the women finished second to . The UC men won individual titles in 16 of the 19 events, while the women captured 12 individual crowns. Leading the men was Ben Haber, who won the long jump (23' 1-1/2") and javelin (165' 2"), while finishing second in the 110 meter hurdles (15.26). On the track, 2004 NCAA qualifier Kenny Wade nabbed the 100 meter dash title, posting a 10.71. Lonnie Irving won the 400 meter dash in 49.36, while placing second in the 200 meter dash (22.61). The women, as was the case throughout the entire indoor season, dominated the field events. Jo Young was the leading point-scorer, winning the shot put (44' 5"), hammer throw (158' 9") and discus (133' 1"). Conference indoor high jump champion Renee Hein captured her first outdoor title in the event, clearing 5' 6". On the track, Erin Leeper (200 meter dash, 25.39), Jammie Jackson (400 meter dash, 58.44), Jocelyn Gibson (800 meters, 2:16.77), and Danielle Erwin (400 meter hurdles, 1:06.05) earned individual titles for the Bearcats.
UC FINISHES 14TH AT BIG EAST INDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS:
The University of indoor track and field team finished 14th at the 2006 BIG EAST Championships which wrapped up on Feb. 19 at the . Notre Dame won the team title with 109.5 points, while finished second with 86 points, just ahead of 's 85. On day two of competition, sophomore Brittany Klima was UC's top finisher, placing fifth in the pole vault with a clearance of 12' 3-1/2". Teammates Tara Meier and Ashley Wilhelm were right behind as Meier posted an 11' 9-3/4" vault to finish seventh. Wilhelm, who finished second in the pentathlon and fourth in the long jump on Feb. 18, was ninth with a personal-best 11' 9-3/4". Junior Renee Hein, who won the 2005 Conference high jump championship, finished sixth this season, clearing 5' 7". Senior Jocelyn Gibson, who set a school record in the 800 meter prelims, finished seventh in the finals with a 2:12.49. The Bearcats scored 25 team points, finishing ahead of (15.5) and DePaul (1), both newcomers to the BIG EAST this season.
BEARCATS TO HOST THREE MEETS IN 2006:
UC will play host to three track meets at Gettler Stadium during the 2006 season. On March 18, will open the outdoor season by holding the Early Bird Relays, with the second annual Oliver Nikoloff Invitational to be held on April 1. The Southern Ohio Cup, which pits UC, Ohio University and Miami (Ohio) against one another in a tri-meet using both men's and women's scores combined, will take place at Gettler Stadium on April 22. will hold a UC Track and Field Reuinion weekend around the Southern Ohio Cup, which will feature a buffet dinner and fundraiser for UC track and field.
UP NEXT:
The Bearcats will head to , for the prestigious Raleigh Relays on Fri.-Sat., March 24-25.