The Observer, February 17, 2006
Volume XXXVIII, Issue 17
Women's track victory highlights strong weekend at Oberlin College
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The Case indoor track teams turned in more impressive performances last weekend. Qualifiers for the All-Ohio meet ran Saturday while the rest of each team ran Friday at the Oberlin College Invitational.
Even with their top runners busy preparing for the All-Ohio meet, the women finished first while the men came in third at Oberlin. On their way to victory, only two women won events, but because of the depth of the team they were still able to pull out the win.
Emily Bruckner brought home one of those two victories, winning the long jump. She also finished second in the 200 m. The other event win for the women came from Lillian Pinault who took home first in the 3000 m. Anna Taylor also had a strong meet, coming in second in the 800 m and third in the mile.
"I think the fact that the women's team went to Oberlin with the girls who did not qualify for All-Ohio and still won the meet shows how hard we are working," thrower Alyssa George said.
The men's team was led by Dominic Smith, who won the mile and finished second in the 800 m. In both races he was followed by another Case runner, with Tyler Youngquist coming in second in the mile, and Chris Anderson taking third in the 800 m. The team brought home four third places as well, but its lack of relay teams kept the team from finishing higher than third in the meet.
The men shone at All-Ohio where they came in sixth out of 18 teams.
"Placing sixth out of 18 teams with only eight athletes is highly impressive," hurdler Trevor Ilse said. "They deserve a lot of credit."
Aaron Johnston-Peck led the team, winning the 5000 m. In the process, he provisionally qualified for nationals and set a new meet record. His Case teammate Stephen Hrinda finished second. His time also was faster than the previous meet record. In the weight throw, Alex Drollinger took home first place by a strong margin. Christoffer Molnar also ran well, finishing third in the 800 m.
The Spartan women also had a solid showing, finishing eighth out of 17 women's teams. The women had two first-place finishes. The distance medley team outran their competition to win by four seconds. Esther Erb was the other winner for the women, taking first in the mile.
There is a lot of excitement from the team because of the strong showings.
"I was very happy with last week's results," Kristen Bowhers said. "The girls that ran Friday did amazing, sweeping the meet with a large lead over the second place team. The best part was Saturday when our distance medley team won. That was awesome!"
There is still room for improvement ,though. "Right now we're still getting a number of personal records, and I think as long as there's gradual improvement in each of us personally the team will continue to be strong," Anna Taylor said.
With UAA Championships just two weeks away, the runners are already gearing up.
"We've had a chip on our back since last year's UAA meet," Ilse said. "We're looking to change opinions of Case Track and Field and expect to do it in a big way."
The team is still making sure they take care of business now.
"I think UAAs are definitely in our minds and a major focus as we push each other through practice everyday, but I also think that we know we still have to finish the regular season," Taylor said. "I don't think anyone's overlooking the next two meets as they only prepare us more."
