The Observer, April 7, 2006
Volume XXXVIII, Issue 23
Track teams enjoy fast start to season with Wooster wins
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The Spartan outdoor track teams started out this season where they left off last spring with a strong first showing. In fact, both the men's and women's teams won their respective competitions at the College of Wooster Invitational.
"I thought it was a good start to the outdoor season," Sarah Gill said.
Kristen Bowhers agreed.
"I think the first meet went well," Bowhers said. "We didn't have the greatest competition there, but it was still exciting to win."
The women collected four first places to bring home first. They were led by Emily Bruckner, who, despite not bringing home an individual first place, did finish in the top three in all three of her events. She was second in both the 100 meters and the long jump and third in the 200. Bruckner took first in the 4x400 relay, teaming with Danielle Kendeigh, Gill, and Harmonie Foster. Bruckner, Foster, Kendeigh, and Erica Coppola also took second in the 4x100 relay.
Fellow sprinter Foster came home with an individual first place, taking first in 400 meters. Esther Erb, one of the strengths of the outdoor team, also won in the 5000. Kristin Bowhers finished second to Erb in that event. In the steeplechase, Alison Donnelly was victorious. Gill took second in the 800 and also finished sixth in her first ever pole vault competition.
In response to her performance, Donnelly was confident.
"The steeplechase team is a force to be reckoned with," she said.
Erb thinks that the team will be a lot better as the season moves on. "I don't think many of us were at our best this week," Erb said. "We had a lot of sub-par performances."
The men were also pleased with their performance.
"I think that as a team we did very well, especially our distance team and throwers," Tim Paul said.
Alex Drollinger led the men. He took first in the javelin, fourth in the shot put, and third in the discus. Fellow Spartan Matt Vonada followed Drollinger with a second place finish in the javelin. Just like in the women's meet, Case runners were victorious in the steeplechase and the 5000. Jason Dudas took first place honors in the steeplechase while Stephen Hrinda won the 5000. Chris Molnar took second for the team in the 800 as well.
Axel Riemer, who finished third in the 100, is hoping to pick up the pace as the season wears on. In reference to how well he ran, he said, "not as well as I will."
Drollinger also wants a better personal performance.
"There is always something that can be done better," he said.
That's fine for Paul Hannen, who is always focused on optimal performance for the UAA Championships.
"The goal is always to peak at conference," Hannen said.
The team was actually supposed to open up the outdoor season two weeks ago at the Muskingum College Invitational but the meet was rained out. Different athletes looked at the rainout in different ways.
"[It is] one less opportunity to see other competition, but we will just push ourselves in practice," Paul said.
Riemer had a more positive view.
"We had an extra week to train," he said.
Gill said that even though the team did not compete at the meet, the runners still got in work.
"We had a good hard workout to replace the cancelled meet," Gill said.
The weather in Cleveland often affects the track team, but the runners just run through it.
"The weather has an effect on outdoor season and you learn to live with it and control what you can," Gill said.
Donnelly, a Case outdoor track veteran, also took the weather patterns in stride.
"I love the erratic weather in Cleveland," Donnelly said. "The coaches seem sane in comparison."
This week the Case track team debuts their new track at the Case Invitational, starting at 10 a.m.
Drollinger is looking for more of last week's success.
"I want to see strong performances in all the events," Drollinger said. "I think we can do very well if that happens."
