2008 Woodie Awards
Track and field trying to feed off indoor momentum
By Matt Matusek
Rocket Staff Writer
Issue date: 3/3/06 Section: Sports Extra
The Slippery Rock University outdoor track & field team is set to begin what could promise to be a productive season. The Rock will look to pick up where it left off after a stellar indoor season.
SRU showed it is one of the best in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference with its second-place finish for the women and fourth-place finish on the men's side.
"We showed what we can do indoors, but we are built for the outdoor track season, and everyone is extremely excited the outdoor season is finally here," coach John Papa said.
The women's track team is looking to be right near the top of the conference in a variety of different events.
With Janiece Rash running the 100-meter dash, and one of the best in the conference, Vera McDaniel, running the 200-meter dash, women's sprinting should be a force this year.
Alison Gardner will be the main 400-meter runner. She was an all-conference performer during the indoor season in that event.
"We should dominate in the women's 4x100 and 4x400 relay events and should also be very good when it comes to hurdles. All-American Andi Rose will be a major player in the hurdles, along with Jill Rekich and Sunny Daugherty," Papa said.
The 4x100 event and the 400-meter hurdles are events exclusive to the outdoor track season.
SRU women should excel in the pole vault event, with Jennifer Hansen, Abby McKissick and Raissa Weiss leading the way.
All-Conference jumpers Jenny Kirsch and Daugherty will be strong in the triple jump and long jump. Louise O'Rourke should be at the top of the conference in the high jump.
In the throwing events, all-conference shot putter Heather Kozuchowsky will be a factor, along with Stacy McCombie. Calista Schoaff could finish amongst the top three in the conference in the javelin throw.
SRU is also home to the top one, two and three in the conference in distance running in Holly Whoolery, Katie Bork and Kristen Jordan.
SRU showed it is one of the best in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference with its second-place finish for the women and fourth-place finish on the men's side.
"We showed what we can do indoors, but we are built for the outdoor track season, and everyone is extremely excited the outdoor season is finally here," coach John Papa said.
The women's track team is looking to be right near the top of the conference in a variety of different events.
With Janiece Rash running the 100-meter dash, and one of the best in the conference, Vera McDaniel, running the 200-meter dash, women's sprinting should be a force this year.
Alison Gardner will be the main 400-meter runner. She was an all-conference performer during the indoor season in that event.
"We should dominate in the women's 4x100 and 4x400 relay events and should also be very good when it comes to hurdles. All-American Andi Rose will be a major player in the hurdles, along with Jill Rekich and Sunny Daugherty," Papa said.
The 4x100 event and the 400-meter hurdles are events exclusive to the outdoor track season.
SRU women should excel in the pole vault event, with Jennifer Hansen, Abby McKissick and Raissa Weiss leading the way.
All-Conference jumpers Jenny Kirsch and Daugherty will be strong in the triple jump and long jump. Louise O'Rourke should be at the top of the conference in the high jump.
In the throwing events, all-conference shot putter Heather Kozuchowsky will be a factor, along with Stacy McCombie. Calista Schoaff could finish amongst the top three in the conference in the javelin throw.
SRU is also home to the top one, two and three in the conference in distance running in Holly Whoolery, Katie Bork and Kristen Jordan.
