NCAA Division III Women’s Outdoor Track & Field Championship Preview
Wartburg raised the trophy in 2009 and enters this
year's meet with the No. 1 ranking overall.
BEREA, OHIO – The 2010 NCAA Division III Men’s and Women’s Outdoor Track & Field Championships is set for Thursday-Saturday, May 27-29, at The George Finnie Stadium on the campus of Baldwin Wallace University in Berea, Ohio. The women’s championship will be scored on 21 events and will feature five returning champions from last year’s meet at Marietta College in Marietta, Ohio.
Defending women’s team champion and 2010 indoor champion, Wartburg College (Iowa), as well 2006 and 2007 champion University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh are well represented. Wartburg enters the meet with the No. 1 national ranking in the latest USTFCCCA poll. UW-Oshkosh is second and followed in the top five by Illinois Wesleyan University, Calvin College (Mich.) and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (M.I.T).
The women’s championship kicks off with the first of the seven-event heptathlon at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday. The top-eight individual finishers in each event earn NCAA Division III All-America status.
Callen Martin of Wilmington (Ohio) was
runner-up in the 100 in 2009 and enters
with the top time this year.
The 100-meter dash will feature 22 athletes, including the second and third place finishers from last year and six athletes overall from the top eight in 2009. Senior Callen Martin of Wilmington College (Ohio) was last year’s runner-up and has the top qualifying time this year of 11.94 seconds. Sophomore Faith Burt of Wartburg comes in with the second best qualifying time of 11.95 and also placed fourth last year as a freshman. Illinois Wesleyan senior Amanda LaRocca, who placed third in the 100 in 2009, enters the meet with the third best qualifying time of 11.97. Junior Brooke Bell of University Wisconsin-Whitewater joins junior Stephanie Omueti of the University of Chicago (Ill.) as returning All-Americans from 2009. Senior Jessica Starks of Capital University is back after finishing seventh in 2008.
The 200-meter dash field will be made up of 18 athletes, including last year’s champion, Brooke Bell, who has the 17th best qualifying time in 2010 at 24.97 seconds. Freshman Ruby Blackwell of Methodist University (N.C.) and sophomore Shavantay Thomas of Illinois Wesleyan, who was seventh last year, are tied for nation’s top qualifying time this year at 24.33. Senior Robin Yerkes of Roanoke College (Va.), who was second in 2008 and fifth in 2007, enters with the third best time at 24.36. Other returning All-Americans from 2009 are 100-meter qualifiers Faith Burt, Amanda LaRocca, and Jessica Starks. Stephanie Omueti also was eighth in 2008.
The 400-meter dash field also is comprised of 18 athletes and will feature five of last year’s top eight. Sophomore Nevada Morrison of Wartburg was fourth last year with a time of 55.05 and enters with Division III’s best qualifying time of 55.06. Junior Rachel Boerner of Calvin is second with a time of 55.29 and sophomore Portia Jones of MIT is third with a time of 55.83. Other qualifiers from last year’s top eight include Robin Yerkes who was second (54.78), senior Hannah Baker of Wartburg, Ithaca junior Marcia McCord, and University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point senior Kathleen Folbrecht.
Bethel's Marie Borner is the top qualifier
in the 800 and 1,500-meter runs.
The 800-meter run has 17 entrants and two finishers from last year’s top eight. Senior Marie Borner of Bethel (Minn.) University has the nation’s best time at 2:06.39, which ranks second all-time in Division III history. Senior Jianna Spadacinni of the College of New Jersey is second at 2:09.22 and also finished second last year. The TCNJ junior Meryl Wimberley is third this year at 2:09.94. Junior Lizzy Danhakl of Williams College (Mass.) was sixth last year.
The 1,500-meter run has 19 entrants and four returnees from last year’s top eight, including last year’s champion, Marie Borner, who comes in with the second best qualifying time of 4:25.66. Borner also placed third in 2008. Senior Jacqui Wentz of MIT has the nation’s top time this year at 4:25.43. Senior Lauren Reich of DePauw University (Ind.) has the third best time of 4:26.61, was eighth last year and fifth in 2008. Junior Catie Ellingson of Simpson College (Iowa) joins senior Kelly Russ of University of St. Thomas (Minn.) as returning All-Americans.
The 5,000-meter run field is comprised of 19 athletes including four of the top 10 finishers from 2009. Junior Liz Lawton of the University of Chicago enters with the nation’s top time of 16:41.16. Freshman Jen Rawls of Rowan University (N.J.) is second (16:41.75) and senior Alicia Freese of Pomona-Pitzer College (Calif.) is third (16:42.65). Sophomore Megan O’Grady from Carroll University (Wisc.) was second last year and fellow sophomore Simone Childs-Walker of Carleton College (Minn.) was third. Junior Taryn Surtees of Washington University (Mo.) joins senior Anna Kraayenbrink of Wartburg as returning All-Americans.
The 10,000-meter run has 18 athletes including three of the top six finishers from 2009. Alicia Freese has the top time in the 10k of 35:13.41, while St. Norbert senior Jenny Scherer, who was fourth last year, enters with the second best time of 35:21.70. Taryn Surtees was third last year and is also ranked third entering the meet this year with a qualifying time of 35:45.78. Senior Jessica Koster of Calvin and Simone Childs-Walker are returning from a top-eight finish in 2009 as well.
The 100-meter hurdles features 18 athletes including five of last year’s top eight. Senior Kristen Bates of Messiah College (Pa.) was runner-up last year and enters with the top qualifying time of 13.99. Amanda LaRocca has the second best time of 14.08 and senior Lauren Bucklin of Simpson, who was third in 2009, has the third best qualifying time of 14.16. Senior Brandye Jackson of North Central joins senior Elise Johnson of Williams, and senior Barb Kremer of Loras College as returning All-Americans.
Calvin's Rachel Boerner has the top
qualifying mark in the 400 hurdles and
the second best time in the 400 dash.
The 400-meter hurdle field has 19 entrants, including last year’s runner-up, Rachel Boerner, who also has the nation’s top qualifying mark at 60.51 seconds. Lauren Bucklin was eighth last year and is second at 62.12. Junior Brittany Melloy of Wartburg is ranked third with a timing of 62.17.
The 3,000-meter steeplechase event has 18 entrants, and five of last year’s top six finishers. Leading the way is last year’s winner and the 2010 top-qualifying individual, senior Stephanie Perleberg of Wisconsin LaCrosse. Perleberg posted a DIII season-best time of 10:21.87 at the Mt. Sac Relays. Jacqui Wentz was fourth last year and ranks second among qualifiers with a time of 10:22.32. Senior Elizabeth Smit of Calvin has the third best time at 10:29.55. Senior Kerry Arouca of Westfield State, who was third last year, joins senior Hannah Humbach of Wisconsin Eau Claire (fifth) and sophomore Kimber Mattox of Willamette (sixth) as returning All-Americans.
The 4x100-meter relay field has 15 teams and includes six of the top eight schools from 2009. Wartburg has the top qualifying time of 46.37 and returns three of the four runners from last year’s national champion relay team in Faith Burt, Nevada Morrison and senior Jenny Kordick. They are joined by junior Jenny Ganshirt. The team of sophomore Lauren Alpert, Amanda LaRocca, senior Ali McCoy and Shavantay Thomas from Illinois Wesleyan comes in with the second best time of 46.59. Emory was second last year and returns sophomore Alix Dyer and senior Crystal Spence. They are joined this year by senior Brittany Donino and sophomore Hadiza Sa-Aadu. Wisconsin LaCrosse was fifth last year and ranks third in 2010 with a time of 46.75. Kailey Charlton and senior Ashton May return from last year and are joined by sophomore Laurel Beck and junior Maggie May for the Eagles of UW-L. The returning All-Americans are junior Tiffany Etheridge, junior Miriam Khan and senior Priscilla Senyah of TCNJ, sophomore Candace Lewis, senior JaLeesa Osborne, senior Jazamine Stallings and Robin Yerkes of Roanoke and seniors Rachel Beck and Symonne Scott of Moravian.
The 4x400-meter relay field has 15 teams and also is led by Wartburg who is looking to repeat as national champions for the fourth time in a row. Wartburg has the top qualifying time (3:43.54) and returns three runners from last year’s team in Hannah Baker, senior Chelsey Jacobs and Nevada Morrison. Faith Burt rounds out the Wartburg relay this year. Last year’s runner-up, Illinois Wesleyan, is second at 3:47.81 and returns two runners from last year in Ali McCoy and sophomore Jessica Christy. They team with freshman Tara Clemens and Shavantay Thomas. MIT is third at 3:38.62 with the quartet of junior Kirsten Aarsvold, sophomore Martha Gross, Portia Jones and sophomore Jamie Simmons. Other returning All-Americans from 4x4 relays last year are senior Elizabeth Caine, Kathleen Folbrecht and senior Kristin Kuber of Wisconsin Stevens Point, sophomore Ann Tank of Wisconsin Platteville, Jianna Spadacinni and Meryl Wimberly of TCNJ, and sophomore Danielle Burgmeier, junior Abby Karl, senior Kaelene Lundstrum of Gustavus Adolphus.
The long jump event has 19 entrants and five of the top eight finishers from last year, including numbers three through six. JaLeesa Osborne has the nation’s top mark this year at 19 feet, six inches and placed sixth last year. Senior Nikki Hay of Springfield College is second at 19’5.50” and freshman Tanasia Hoffler of Williams is third in 2010 at 19’3.25”. Sophomore Ashlynn Chavis was third last year, while Ashton May was fourth, Lauren Alpert fifth, and junior Breana Anderson of McMurray was eighth.
The triple jump features 18 entrants and three athletes from last year’s top eight. Tanasia Hoffler is the top qualifier at 39’10.75”. Kristen Bates was fifth last year and enters with the number two jump of 39’9.25”. Sophomore Destiney Jones of Texas Lutheran ranks third at 39’8.75”. Senior Nakeisha Jones of Tufts and Nikki Hay are the top returning All-American athletes from last year in the triple jump.
St. Lawrence's Alyssa Pirinelli is the
defending champ and top qualifier
in the shot put.
The shot put field is comprised of 19 competitors and six of last year’s top nine finishers. Senior Alyssa Pirinelli of St. Lawrence was runner-up last year and has the top qualifying throw of 47’7”. Senior Vantiel Elizabeth Dunca of Bates College is second this year at 47’1.75” after placing ninth last year and junior Sarah Anciaux of Coe College ranks third at 46’10”. Also returning as All-Americans from 2009 are senior Ellie Sitek of Wisconsin Oshkosh, Claire Ray of University of Chicago, junior Sarah Reasoner of Calvin, and junior Sam Broderius of Gustavus Adolphus.
The discus event features 18 entrants, including last year’s winner and this year’s top qualifier in Ellie Sitek, who has thrown for a distance of 165’2” in 2010. Brittany Frederick of Wisconsin Eau Claire ranks second this year at 162’9” and was also runner-up in 2009. Sarah Reasoner ranks third at 153’11”. Sam Broderius also returns after finishing seventh in 2009.
The hammer throw event features 18 entrants and is represented by five athletes from Wisconsin Oshkosh, who has three of the top four qualifiers. An individual from UW-Oshkosh has won the women’s hammer throw each of the last four years. A total of seven of the top nine finishers from last year are back as well. Ellie Sitek won last year and ranks second this year at 191’2” right behind junior teammate Holly Ozanich who threw a distance of 191’3”. Senior Christa Youngern of California Lutheran ranks third among qualifiers at 188’10”. UW-Oshkosh senior Susie Trzebiatowski was second last year and has the fourth best qualifying throw. She is joined by returning All-Americans Alyssa Pirinelli, Vantiel Elizabeth Dunca, sophomore Emily Niehuas of Centre College, and Claire Ray.
The javelin field is made up of 18 competitors and features four of last year’s top eight. Freshman Jill Shaner from Richard Stockton has the top qualifying mark at 153’3. Junior Kelly Lovett of Carleton College ranks second at 147’0” after finishing seventh last year. Sophomore Amanda Trieloff from Carroll University ranks third at 146’5” after an eighth place finish last year. Sophomore Beth Stam from George Fox University, junior Mackenzie Smith from the University of Redlands, and sophomore Lauren Butler from Allegheny College are the returning All-Americans from last year’s event.
NCC's Rachel Secrest set a meet record in the
pole vault last season.
The high jump field is comprised of 20 athletes and three of last year’s top eight finishers. Freshman Elizabeth Evans from Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology is the top qualifying individual with a mark of 5’8.5”. Senior Lisa Sheppard from Richard Stockton is second among qualifiers after clearing 5’7.25”. Sheppard also finished tied for third place at last year’s championships and was second in 2008. Sophomore Erin Hollinger from Case Western Reserve University and senior Kaelene Lundstrum from Gustavus Adolphus return from last year’s top eight finishers.
The pole vault event features 20 entrants and seven from last year’s top eight, including the top three finishers. Senior Rachel Secrest from North Central is the returning champion after setting the meet record in 2009 with a mark of 13’2.25”. She enters this year as the third best participant with a leap of 12’10.25”. Senior Anna Heim from Moravian College was runner-up last year but has the nation’s top qualifying mark of 13’8.25”, which is the all-time best for women’s pole vault in Division III. Sophomore Catherine Street from Linfield College was third last year and has also cleared 13 feet in 2010 at 13’1.50”, good for third in the nation. Senior Alexandra Faust from Muhlenberg College, senior Hayley Suckow from Wisconsin Eau Claire, senior Etta Grover-Silva from Smith College, and senior Rebecca Grafenauer from Carroll University are the returning All-Americans in this event as well.
The heptathlon field is made up 18 entrants including four of the top eight finishers from last year. Sophomore Emma Dewart of Ithaca College is the top qualifier with a score of 4,724 points after finishing 10th last year. Senior Candace Norville from Illinois College is the second highest qualifier after scoring 4,684 points this year and also finished seventh last year. Senior Courtney Hartman of Bridgewater (Va.) is third among qualifiers after posting a score of 4,618 points. She also placed sixth last year. Kaelene Lundstrum and senior Leah Kay from Concordia Moorhead are the other returning All-Americans in the seven-event heptathlon
You can follow the 2010 NCAA Division III National Championship Meet LIVE from your computer at http://www.bw.edu/athletics/10tracknationals/. The site will provide live results, action photos, award stand photos, video interviews with each winner, and much more. If you can’t make it to the meet, please join us on-line.