Thursday, February 24, 2011

TRACK & FIELD TEAMS SET FOR LANDMARK INDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS

MADISON, N.J. – Competition in the 2010-11 indoor track & field season will come to a head this weekend as six Landmark Conference indoor track & field teams will get their chances at a conference title at the 2011 Landmark Indoor Track & and Field Championships Saturday Feb. 26 at the Garrett Sports Complex on the campus of Susquehanna University in Selinsgrove, Pa.
                    
The meet gets started with field events 11 a.m. on Saturday. Moravian College will be looking to continue its success at the meet as the women vie for their fourth team championship and the men look to repeat and claim their third crown in four seasons. Challenging the Greyhounds will be The Catholic University of America, Goucher College, Juniata College, the United States Merchant Marine Academy and host Susquehanna 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.

Moravian won the women’s title last season spurred by a strong group of senior sprinters and jumpers. That group has moved on but there is plenty of talent still on hand to try and capture its fourth championship. Cadee Rockwell (Sinking Spring, PA/Wilson West Lawn HS), pictured at left, has already set a pair of new Landmark records during the indoor season while pole vaulter Abby Schaffer (Easton, PA/Easton HS) has automatically qualified for the NCAA Championships and those two are among the many potential point scorers for the Greyhound women.

After three-straight runner-up finishes Susquehanna could be ready to take the next step and dethrone Moravian. Caitlin Anderson ranks as one of the top throwers in the conference and Alycia Woodruff has six individual event titles on her resume from previous seasons and will try and push the Crusaders to the win. Similarly Juniata has place third three-straight years and will try to make a move into the top two this season.

Reigning Indoor Rookie of the Year Angela Shaffer will pace the Eagles who also have a solid corps of distance runners who could make an impact. It has been a strong indoor season for Catholic which also boasts a top thrower in Kelly Carioto and the defending indoor champion in the 800-meters in sophomore Laura Kinley as they try to break into the top half of the standings. Goucher has a pair of strong performers in the sprints in Jaclyn Kellon and Kate Clarke and both are threats to capture points for the Gophers. USMMA is under the direction of a new coach this season and versatile performer Lauren Rattan will try to help the team improve its standing at the event this season.

After claiming its second title last season the Moravian men looked poised to capture a third championship in four seasons this weekend. Eric Woodruff (Brodheadsville, PA/Pius X HS), pictured at right, ranks as one of the top sprinters in Division III and could win multiple events and contribute in relays while the Greyhounds also boast a top distance pairing in Matthew Lutcza (Dingmans Ferry, PA/Delaware Valley HS) and Donnie Noble (Souderton, PA/Souderton HS) along with versatile jumper Nicco Dalpiaz (Sunbury, PA/Shikellamy HS). The team’s depth will make them tough to beat in the competition.

That fact will not stop frequent contenders Susquehanna and Juniata from trying to knock off the champions. Susquehanna’s Bobby Eppleman was the Field Athlete of the Year at the indoor meet last season and can score points in a variety of disciplines, while distance standout Ian Quinlan has some of the top times in the conference this year. The same can be said for Juniata distance runner Ceth Parker who has enjoyed a strong season and the team also has jumper Nicholas Bauer ranked highly in multiple events.

Goucher has its own jumping standouts which could be big factors over the weekend as Chris Litz has won several pole vault competitions during the regular season and high jumper Doug Falk is ranked among the conference leaders. Catholic boasts the deepest team it has brought to the Championships in several years and has a large collection of throwers led by Sean Brubaker and a top sprinter in Matthew Zemba. USMMA is also deeper than they’ve been in previous seasons and have put together a solid season thus far. Brandon Barrett has several strong times in the long sprints to lead the team and with the improved depth the Mariners have been strong in the relays throughout the season.

After competing on Saturday Landmark competitors will compete in several meets in an effort to qualify for the NCAA Division III Indoor Championships which will take place March 11-12 at the Capital Center Field House in Columbus, Ohio.

Release courtesy of Landmark Conference office.