The Observer, March 9, 2007
Volume XXXIX, Issue 20
Erb, Hrinda, and Hannen bring home victories
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The Spartans' indoor track and field teams traveled to Boston last Friday and Saturday to compete at the UAA Indoor Track and Field Championships at Brandeis University. The men placed sixth and the women took fifth.
"One of the positive things about this tournament was that you could see the team really beginning to gel and mature. That's something that doesn't get included in the point total," said coach Dennis Harris. "If we had a couple more people score, we would have moved up a couple spots."
The University of Chicago finished with 59 points, six ahead of the Spartans. A team can earn six points with a third place finish in an event.
"We're a young team," said senior and captain Emily Bruckner. "A lot of people didn't know what to expect. I think the UAA's put us in a good place for the outdoor season."
Bruckner herself was unable to compete for most of the tournament, due to a pulled hamstring, injured during the 55-meter dash.
"I think I should have ran," said Bruckner, "but the coach and the trainer had a different opinion."
"I care about the athlete and her career," said Harris. "She's a senior and a competitor, so I expected her to be upset. But you don't put the kid at risk like that. It was a no-brainer."
Her injury was a major setback for the team; she would have almost certainly placed in the 200-and 400-meter dashes.
Junior Esther Erb turned in an outstanding performance, placing first in both the one-mile and 3000-meter runs.
"I'm really happy with my performance because I feel like I can finally do what I tell myself to do," said Erb. "I am more proud of this performance than pretty much any other because it was a great day for me and I was able to help the team."
She qualified for the national tournament in the one-mile run. "She's been there before, so she knows what to do to do well," said Harris. The top eight finishers in each event are named All-Americans.
Sophomore Danielle Kendeigh finished fifth in the 400-meter dash, setting a school record with a time of 1:00.86 minutes. At the UAA tournament, the preliminary rounds occur on Friday, and the finals take place on Saturday.
"It's hard to come back and run faster on that second day," said Bruckner. Kendeigh ran two-tenths of a second faster on Saturday, and set a school record.
Sophomores Elizabeth Ehrke and Lauren Dudley placed third and fifth, respectively, in the weight throw. Freshman Whitney Horne placed second in the 55-meter dash. Overall, the ladies earned 45.5 points. Washington University placed first with 130 points.
On the men's side, Harris was impressed by the performance of the throws team. "They did very well. The upperclassmen have been very consistent," he said. Senior Paul Hannen won the weight throw and placed second in the shot put. "It is nice to win, but it's better to see so many great performances turned in at Boston," said Hannen. Junior David Jeffries took second in the weight throw.
Stephen Hrinda had the men's other first place finish, winning the 5000-meter run with a time of 14:59.01. Sophomore Derrick Moore placed second in the high jump, leaping 1.85 meters. Overall, the men earned 53 points. Washington University placed first with 113 points.
The Spartans should improve in coming years. "None of the teams in our conference are as young as we are," said Bruckner. "You win with upperclassmen."
"I think it was a good collegiate athletic experience," said Harris. "Now we're ready to roll for the outdoor season."
