Sports News: Winter 2008-09

Thursday, February 26, 2009

LANDMARK TEAMS READY FOR INDOOR TRACK & FIELD CHAMPIONSHIP

MADISON, N.J. – Five indoor track & field programs will try and earn their first conference titles while the defending men’s and women’s champions of Moravian College will work to defend their crown when competition begins at the 2009 Landmark Indoor Track & and Field Championships Saturday Feb. 28 at the Garrett Sports Complex on the campus of Susquehanna University in Selinsgrove, Pa.

The competition will begin with field events at 11 a.m. on Saturday. Host Susquehanna and defending champion Moravian will be joined by The Catholic University of America, Goucher College, Juniata College, and the United States Merchant Marine Academy as each team tries to earn the first Landmark Indoor Track & Field Team Championships. Champions will also be crowned in 13 individual events and four relays for both the men and women.

In the women’s competition Moravian is a strong favorite to defend its crown as the team returns the majority of its roster from the squad that earned the title a year ago. Multi-event winners from last year’s championship Sydni Wisniewski (Orlando, FL/Winter Haven HS) and Jessica Posimo (Philadelphia, PA/St. Basil Academy) both are seeded highly in a range of events and should challenge for titles in several events again this season.

Susquehanna and Juniata are the most likely challengers to the Greyhounds after each has enjoyed a strong indoor season thus far. Led by reigning Rookie of the Year Alycia Woodruff and freshman sprinter Jamie Eggleton will try and lead the Crusaders to the title. Juniata will be led by senior Kelsey Buffenmyer who was named the Field Athlete of the Year at the Championships a year ago. Catholic placed fourth at the 2008 Championships and may have the personnel to move up the standings with thrower Kelly Carioto and mid-distance runner Remy Ball both threats to earn event victories. Goucher’s Sheba Newman-Blount set a school record in the triple jump this past weekend, and is seeded highly in a number of events as she tries to help the Gophers improve on a fifth-place finish from last season. USMMA placed sixth a season ago, and will be looking for points from Rebecca Critics who has performed well in the throws during the team’s indoor season.

The favorites on the men’s side are Moravian and Susquehanna which were separated by just 15 points as the Greyhounds claimed the title last year. Senior thrower Blair Maginnis (Asbury, NJ/Warren Hills Regional HS) returns to lead the way for the Greyhounds after winning two events a year ago, while the Greyhounds have several other competitors who could challenge for individual titles. For Susquehanna Paul Thistle is back after winning three events and being named Track Athlete of the Year last season, and Josh Simpson should be a factor in the sprints as he owns some of the top times in the conference.

Juniata and Catholic should also contend for spots near the top of the standings. Juniata’s Patrick Filamor is seeded highly in the sprints as well as the long jump and is capable of producing significant points. Catholic senior Michael Doster has had a strong start to his senior year and should be a factor in the hurdles and the longer sprints. USMMA tied for fourth at the meet last season and behind Earle Coppa in the pole vault and Daniel Feeney on the track the Mariners will try and move up the standings this season. Goucher also has a contender in the pole vault as Chris Litz tied the school record in that event earlier this season and will try and earn a top finish for the Gophers at the Championship.

After competing on Saturday Landmark competitors who have qualified may compete at the ECAC Championships March 6-7 at Tufts University in Medford, Mass. followed by the NCAA Division III Indoor Championships March 13-14 at Rose-Hulman in Terre Haute, Ind.

Release courtesy of the Landmark Conference office.