2008 Woodie Awards
Team sets lofty goals in new track season
By Matt Matusek
Rocket Staff Writer
Issue date: 11/11/05 Section: Sports Extra
The Slippery Rock men's and women's indoor track team enters the beginning of the season with high expectations.
"As long as we stay healthy I expect things to come together with the indoor season," coach John Papa said.
Four years ago, indoor meets were more of a warm-up for the outdoor season, but recently an indoor Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) championship was added to make indoor meets more competitive.
"Although the team is more geared for outdoor track, I still feel that we should have somebody in the top three in every indoor event this year for both men and women," Papa said.
Some of the events that the team specializes in that will not be included in indoor track are the 400-meter hurdles, the discus throw and the javelin throw.
Indoor events that are not included in the outdoor track season are the 4 x 800 meter relay, the distance relay and the 35-pound weight throw.
In 20 years as head coach, John Papa has coached 12 PSAC championship teams.
"I think that we have a chance of doing great things with the program this year," Papa said.
The last championship for Papa came in 2004 when the women won track and field. Women's track also won the championship in 2003, 2001 and 1999. The men last won a championship in 2000.
Junior long jump and triple jumper Preston Gibbs will be a huge part of Slippery Rock's success as it tries to become champions once again. Gibbs also was named to the PSAC Spring Top 10 Award and was also a recipient of the Winter Top 10 Award.
The PSAC Top Ten Awards are given out to students who excel both on the track and in the classroom. Last season, Gibbs became the first SRU student to receive both awards in the same academic year.
Senior Shayne Cooper and sophomore Nate Shadeck should continue to be major contributors in the hurdles. Shadeck will also be used as a sprinter.
Sophomore high jumper Steve Brenner, who was all-conference in the high jump last year, will look to continue his success in the 2005-2006 season.
"As long as we stay healthy I expect things to come together with the indoor season," coach John Papa said.
Four years ago, indoor meets were more of a warm-up for the outdoor season, but recently an indoor Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) championship was added to make indoor meets more competitive.
"Although the team is more geared for outdoor track, I still feel that we should have somebody in the top three in every indoor event this year for both men and women," Papa said.
Some of the events that the team specializes in that will not be included in indoor track are the 400-meter hurdles, the discus throw and the javelin throw.
Indoor events that are not included in the outdoor track season are the 4 x 800 meter relay, the distance relay and the 35-pound weight throw.
In 20 years as head coach, John Papa has coached 12 PSAC championship teams.
"I think that we have a chance of doing great things with the program this year," Papa said.
The last championship for Papa came in 2004 when the women won track and field. Women's track also won the championship in 2003, 2001 and 1999. The men last won a championship in 2000.
Junior long jump and triple jumper Preston Gibbs will be a huge part of Slippery Rock's success as it tries to become champions once again. Gibbs also was named to the PSAC Spring Top 10 Award and was also a recipient of the Winter Top 10 Award.
The PSAC Top Ten Awards are given out to students who excel both on the track and in the classroom. Last season, Gibbs became the first SRU student to receive both awards in the same academic year.
Senior Shayne Cooper and sophomore Nate Shadeck should continue to be major contributors in the hurdles. Shadeck will also be used as a sprinter.
Sophomore high jumper Steve Brenner, who was all-conference in the high jump last year, will look to continue his success in the 2005-2006 season.
