<< Front page Sports December 5, 2003

Indoor track opens season

Oberlin’s indoor track and field team begins its season tonight and tomorrow.

With several top performers returning from a team that finished third at the NCAC Championships last year, the women’s team is looking forward to another positive season.

The Yeowomen’s first-place finish in the Oberlin invitational championships was the highlight of last year. Junior Teresa Collins had a 500-meter run of 1:21.37 and the Yeowomen scored 188 points.

Also last season, Collins and seniors Shannon Houlihan and Faye Doherty set a new NCAC Relays meet record with a triple jump relay distance of 66’00.75”. The all-NCAC distance medley relay team set an NCAC Championship and school record with a run of 12:54.43.

“On the women’s side we will continue to be strong in the sprints and the jumps,” head coach Jason Hudson said. “Over the past couple years we have been really strong in the long distance events; this year we are in a rebuilding phase.”

After taking eighth place at last year’s NCAC Championships, the men’s team will focus on improving in distance events, according to Hudson.

The Yeomen impressed by placing third with 65.5 points at the Invitational Championships, with junior captain Bret Peterson setting the pace.

Sophomore pole vaulter Shean Perry said he feels the team will be vastly improved this year because “we have three times as much talent on the team.” Perry set a personal goal of vaulting over 13’6”, though his best vault has been 13’3” in the outdoor season.

“The men’s toughest opponents will be the Allegheny team, who won conference last year,” Hudson said.

Besides Allegheny, Oberlin’s biggest competitors this season will be Denison, Earlham and Wabash.

“I’m really excited about the season,” first-year Quentin Jones, who runs sprints, relays and hurdles, said. “I can’t wait to test my abilities at the college level.”

Hudson holds high expectations for both teams.

“I am really excited about the season,” he said. “We have increased numbers on both sides and will look to score as many points as possible at our conference meets. As a staff we are also trying to create an environment which allows the student athletes to reach their potential.”

Hudson added that the teams “would love fan support” at their three home meets, Jan. 23, Feb. 13 and Feb. 28.

   

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