The Observer, April 6, 2007
Volume XXXIX, Issue 23
Great performances abound for track teams at Wooster
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One month is all that separates the beginning of outdoor track from the season's most important tournament, the UAA Outdoor Track Championships. The length of the season means that the Spartans need to make the most of each race and of every meet.
That's just what they did last Saturday when the women's team placed first and the men's squad took second at the College of Wooster Invitational.
"The key on the women's side was the consistency. That's what it's all about," said coach Dennis Harris. "The ladies have a lot of quality and depth. The women's program is one of the best we've had in a while."
Leading the charge was junior Esther Erb, who won both the 800, an event she hadn't run in two years, and 1500-meter runs.
"Once I got to the meet, I decided to run to win the 1500, and then see whatever I could do in the 800," she said. "Running to win every once in a while instead of going for qualifying times keeps me from getting burnt out from running altogether."
Sophomore Danielle Kendeigh placed third in both the 400-meter run and the long jump. "The 400 for me was a new experience," she said. "I have never really run it competitively outdoor before except in the 4x4."
"She had a great performance at Wooster," Harris said. "Everything she touches turns to gold."
The throwing events were important to the women's success. Sophomore Elizabeth Ehrke placed second in the discus, and freshman Allison Early took third in the shot put. Still, both athletes saw room for improvement.
"It seemed like no one did as well as they wanted to in the discus," Ehrke said. "The marks were low for this meet."
Harris was pleased with the performance of the 4x100 meter relay team.
"It was the first time we had that group together, and they came within three one-hundredths of a second of setting a school record," Harris said. "We just had one bad handoff."
Senior and captain Emily Bruckner, still recovering from an injury she suffered at the indoor conference meet, ran the 4x100 meter relay. "She's about 75 percent right now," Harris said.
Lauren Von Eckartsberg turned in a quality effort at Wooster, placing third in the 3000-meter steeplechase. Overall, the women scored 118.50 points, 14 points ahead of second place Wooster. There were 11 other teams competing at the tournament.
The men scored 95 points, 12 behind first place Ashland.
"The guys could have won that meet," Harris said. "Ashland is a Division II school, so they basically have paid athletes. They dominated the hammer throw, and that's how they were able to win."
Many of Case's points came from the distance events.
"The sophomores came up big in the distance events. They're the heart and soul of the distance team," Harris said. Two of those sophomores, Ryan Gjoraas and Mike Petro, took second and third, respectively, in the 5000-meter run.
"In the 5K personally, I ran well, achieving a personal record," Gjoraas said. "The weather was great, which helped, and my legs felt fresh. Again, Mike Petro and I ran a great race, and I think we can push each other even more to get ready for our conference meet." Sophomore Dominic Smith placed third in the 3000-meter steeplechase and qualified for the All-Ohio Championships.
Another big event for the Spartans was Jeremy Gillispie's effort in the 400-meter hurdles, where he took second and set a personal record with a time of 57.35 seconds.
"Jeremy did well. I was happy with how he ran," Harris said.
"I was definitely pleased with my performance in the 400 hurdles," Gillispie said. "It was encouraging to begin seeing the training at practice come to fruition. Techniques have been really clicking lately for me. I felt really good running the whole race, and I'm excited about how much I can improve."
The field events were a source of strength for the men. Andrew Pozzuto, a junior, placed third in the javelin.
"My first mark was 149'. which I was satisfied with, since I threw so badly last week at Muskingum," he said. "My second mark was the one that got me third with a 152'."
Sophomore Ryan Breon placed fourth in the discus, setting a personal record with a throw of 128-10.
The Spartans are back in action tomorrow at home for the Case Invitational. "There's a chance it'll snow," Harris said. "If that happens, we'll have to cancel the meet. Hopefully though, everything will work out."
