TicketsMarch 24, 2011
By Jeff Gentil
GoBEARCATS.com
With a sweep of the UC-hosted Early Bird Relays last weekend, the men's and women's track teams began their spring season in impressive fashion. Out of 19 total events, the women gathered 11 individual championships while the men collected seven on their way to easy wins for both.
Despite missing throwers Chris Littleton and Brian Zimmerman to injuries, the men were able to overcome at the event. But, for the winning ways to continue, they will need all hands on deck.
"I feel really good about our first meet," men's coach Bill Schnier said. "We had three indoor meets and have been practicing for this since October 1st so I think we were very ready. (Due to Littleton and Zimmerman's injuries) the track side looks much stronger than the field but that's not typical. It is usually balanced and one of our goals is to correct that problem."
Of the sprinters, junior Terrence Somerville looks to be not only the best of the Bearcats but quite possibly one of the best in the country. Earlier this year, Somerville established the fastest 60-meter time of any collegiate athlete with a 7.63 time at the USA Track and Field Championships in Albuquerque.
"He (Somerville) is the number one 60-meter high hurdler in the country," Schnier said. "And he could have won the national championship if we sponsored an indoor team. But he hopes to be the 110-meter national champion (in June)."
Others who will be relied upon heavily this spring are junior distance runners Eric Finan and Michael Rutherford and sophomore Oliver Book.
"Eric was the cross country regional champion and although he didn't have an opportunity to run indoors (over the winter), he is ready to lead the team and have a great outdoor season," Schnier predicted. "Rutherford took fourth in the BIG EAST last year and we have high hopes for him. And Oliver is the most improved person on the team."
In addition, Schnier looks for good seasons from mid-distance runners Kyle Neyer and Evan Baum, sprinter Maurice Norman, and distance runner David Barry, who won his first collegiate event this weekend capturing the 3,000-meter steeplechase crown.
Although the field portion of the team is banged up right now, Schnier believes the healthy return of Littleton and Zimmerman can help immensely.
"We have three throwers who are really good," Schnier said. "Troy Cooper is the UC record holder in the shotput, Zimmerman is the UC record holder in the javelin and BIG EAST Champ and Littleton has the second-best discus (in UC history). Josh Dangel in the pole vault has real potential and Mike Foley has jumped 6' 10" before. We have some people with some talent and we're really excited for the season."
For Coach Susan Seaton's women's team, hopes are just as high coming off a dominant performance in the Early Bird Relays. With a good balance of runners and field participants, the women look to build off the momentum of its highest ever indoor BIG EAST meet (sixth place) in February.
| Junior Kathy Klump |
"We are really excited coming off our most successful indoor season," Seaton said. "We are looking to repeat and build on that."
With upperclassmen Kathy Klump, Ashley Arnold, Natasha Burse, and Aricka Rhodes returning, the sprinters are primed to have an outstanding spring.
"Klump is the returning BIG EAST 800 meter champ," Seaton said. "Her goal is to get back up on the podium (at the BIG EAST meet) and to qualify for the NCAA Championships. Burse is trying to get into the top-three in the BIG EAST. Rhodes had the fastest qualifying time last year, but in the finals didn't run her best race so she has some unfinished business. She is very excited to redeem herself. And Arnold looks to be in good shape and we're looking forward to having her back."
Burse and Rhodes teamed with freshman Cameron Gardner and sophomore Shanay Portis to set the all-time UC record in the 4x100 meter relay last weekend in 45.65 seconds, topping the mark previously set in 2002.
In the distance portion, seniors Michele McKenney and Jill Glassmeyer look to guide an experienced group of racers. McKenney, building off her stellar cross country season in the fall, started off well in the spring by winning the Early Bird 5,000 meters race, while Glassmeyer finished fourth.
Boosted by five returning participants, the pole vault could very well be the best event for the women's team this spring.
"It is by far our highest (scoring) event," Seaton said. "We have all five back led by Mackenzie Fields who is our indoor record holder. We hope for the same outdoor success. Sarah Rasnick had a stellar indoor season, as did Michelle Eby, Stefanie Ponte, and Kate Heinrichs."
There is a youth movement, however, on the throwers' side. Freshmen Jessica Molyet, Mary Bridges, and Frida Akerstrom anchor with sophomore Bridget McNeill a major factor as well.
"We are pretty excited about Akerstrom and Moylet," Seaton said. "And McNeill has made huge improvements and we really think she is going to help us a lot."
Loaded with talent, the women are poised to have an excellent spring, according to Seaton.
"We're hoping to finish in the top-five at the BIG EAST Championships," she said. "We have a few people who can compete for titles. The team is really excited to have a great outdoor season."