Bulldogs Set For Season-Opening Meet
December 03, 2008 | Track & Field
– The Gardner-Webb men's and women's track teams will take
part in their season-opening track and field meet just prior to the
start of finals. Friday, the Bulldogs will head to Boone, N.C., and
partake in the Appalachian Invitational.
Head coach Brian Baker and his staff will take 23 members of the
women's squad and 19 student-athletes on the men's side.
On the women's side, Caryn Daane highlights a long list of standout
performers as she and Carrie Long each participated at the NCAA
East Regional in the spring. Daane will compete in the shot put and
weight throw while long will hit the runway and take aim at the
school's pole vault record.
The Bulldogs are also sending former another conference champion to
compete in the pole vault, senior Kelly Bridges. Meg Barrow, who
improved upon her height tremendously a season ago, and newcomer
Brooke Yeakley will also compete at the meet.
Former conference champion Victoria Argus and conference standout
Kayla Morgan will compete in the 55m hurdles, long jump and 4x400m
relay teams in order to prepare for a run at a multi-event
title.
Standout thrower Brieanna Thompson will also compete in the weight
throw with Daane. In the field events, newcomer Gwennetta Jones
(shot put), Caroline Arledge (high jump) and Sarah Herd (long jump)
will also see their first collegiate action. Katy Milton will
compete in the long jump and the 4x400m relay.
Multiple returners will see time on the track as senior Dina
Nshisso will take part in the 800m and 4x400m relay. Bree THarpe
will hit the track running hard in both the mile and 3,000m events
while Rebecca Silleman will join her in the 3,000m.
Senior Beth Long should make some noise in the mile and as part of
the 4x400m relay team while Carrie Minard and Laura Scott will
attempt to improve upon their solid times in the 3,000m.
Newcomers Cherish Richardson (mile, 4x400m relay), Elisabeth Sawyer
(800m, 4x400m relay), and Holly Scott (mile, 4x400m relay) will all
be competing on the collegiate track level for the first time.
Sprinter Aleigha Brigham will showcase her talent in the 55m and
200m events.
On the men's side, All-American hopeful Jake Didion will lead a
pack of extremely talented performers. Didion hopes to embark upon
a successful senior season as he will compete in the long and
triple jumps.
Christoph Hutschalik, who is returning from an injury last year,
will compete in the weight throw. Joining him will be newcomers
Mike McPherson and Travis Rogers. Both McPherson and Rogers will
also vie for the shot put title.
Conference champion Evan Brusich will look to show he has improved
in the 55m hurdles, long jump and 4x400m relay. Johnathon Rucker
will compete in both field and track events (55m hurdles, triple
jump, 4x400m relay). Adam Reed will attempt to better his
personal-best height in the pole vault.
James Polk (weight throw) and CJ Wise (high jump) will see their
first collegiate action in the field events while Van Nelson (55m,
200m, 4x400m relay), Daniel Mobley (55m hurdles, long jump, 4x400m
relay), Nick Kelly (3,000m), Justin Cole (3,000m), Jacob Hoyle
(3,000m) and Jason Wenzel (mile, 4x400m relay) will all see their
first track competition as a collegiate student-athlete.
Versatile student-athlete Paul Steinke will partake in the sprints
events this weekend as he will race in the 55m, 200m and 4x400m
relay.
Embarking on another solid year for Baker's team will be Tim Israel
(3,000m, 4x400m relay), Charlie Steinke (mile, 4x400m relay) and
Erin Goodrum (mile, 4x400m relay).
Continue to check back with www.gwusports.com for up to the minute
results.
