The College of Wooster men’s and women’s track and field teams will travel to Oberlin College tomorrow for their first indoor meet of the 2011 season. Over the course of the next two months, the track and field teams will be training and competing indoors, cumulating the indoor season at the NCAA Championships on March 11 and 12 in Columbus, Ohio. Upon returning from spring break, the teams will commence the outdoor season and begin the push towards the NCAC Conference Championship in May.
Jumper Miriam Wise ’11 is very optimistic about the women’s potential this season, hoping to continue the success that landed them on the NCAA all-academic team for the third year in a row this past fall. ÏThe women’s team has really expanded this year, adding depth and strength to most events,Ó she said. ÏIt’s encouraging to see familiar faces on the track as well as newcomers. Competing this Saturday at Oberlin begins a semester-long journey towards the NCAC Conference Championship Meet at the end of May, where we will hopefully offer our peak performances of the year,Ó
The women’s team will be returning several key all-NCAC performers from last year’s season. Abena Boamah-Acheampong ’13, who holds the school record in high jump, will aim to continue to supply a steady flow of points. Also providing valuable contributions will be Whitney Rappole ’11, who garnered all-conference accolades in the 400 hurdles, and Veronique Jones ’13, who dominated in shot put, hammer throw and discus last season. ÏI think we have the dedication and talent to be very competitive this year, both individually and as a team. Personally, I’d love to see the women place in the top four teams at Conference,Ó Wise said. Last season the women finished fifth out of nine teams in the NCAC Championships.
The men’s team also goes into this season wih high expectations. Although they graduated all four of their all-conference performers from last season’s fifth place NCAC team, the Scots return Josh Kime ’11 and Sean Twining ’11, both of whom provided valuable individual performances during last season’s conference championship.
Like other teams on campus, this spring marks the last time that the men’s and women’s track and field teams will have to practice and compete off-campus during the indoor season. ÏUnfortunately for the seniors on the team, the Scot Center will not be complete in time for us to practice and hold meets at home during the indoor season. The opening of the center next year will hopefully give the team a new sense of pride as they are able to practice at regular times and compete on campus with their peers’ support,Ó Wise said.
Following this weekend’s NCAC Relays in Oberlin, the men’s and women’s track and field teams will participate in five indoor invitational competitions before the NCAC and NCAA championships in early March.
