Author: Ryan Graff
The track team is well on its way to making large strides this season. Both the men’s and women’s teams traveled to Pomona-Pitzer for the All-Comers meet on Feb. 19. The Tigers set out this year to improve upon a third place SCIAC finish. They have battled through a tough, injury-plagued off-season and look to stay healthy and competitive for the 2011 season.
Players and coaches alike are looking forward to the competition. Head Coach Rob Bartlett is excited about this upcoming year and continues to motivate his athletes. “Both the men’s and women’s teams have had a great start to the season. A number of returners have obviously worked hard in the off-season and look to be ahead of where they were a year ago. We also have a strong first-year class with a number of folks who should contribute this year,” he said.
The men welcome back captains Matt Tsujimura (senior) and Dimitri Groce (senior). Both of these sprinters will bring talent and leadership for the Tigers this season. For the women, captains are thrower Kelly Young (senior) and sprinter/hurdler Adrienne Daniels (senior). Young earned herself an All-American selection last season and has her sights set on obtaining this title again.
Daniels has a positive outlook for this season and looks to build on a strong 2010. “Our goal this season is to finish higher in the SCIAC than we did last year. We have some really good new recruits, especially on sprints, and are prepared for talented competitors. Personally, I hope to be on the podium for at least two events,” Daniels said.
Other notable athletes for the men are distance runner Eric Kleinsasser (junior), who earned an All-American selection for cross-country earlier this year, sprinter/mid-distance runner Thomas Cahuzac (junior) and mid-distance runner Will Moseley (junior). Both Cahuzac and Moseley performed well at the Tigers’ inter-squad meet on Feb. 12 in the 400m and 800m events.
On the women’s side, notables are distance runner Megan Lang (sophomore), mid-distance runner Claire Larson (junior) and sprinter Megan Fruth (junior). Lang, who won the mile at the inter-squad meet with a time of 5:25, and Larson, who is a two-time SCIAC Champion in the 800m event, are both coming off injuries. If these two women can stay healthy, they will surely be forces to reckon with again this season.
Also waiting in the wings for the women are gifted underclassmen. Sprinter Julie Xu (first-year) is in the running to be part of the women’s competitive 4×4 relay team. Also, distance runner Marnie Kinnaird (first-year) is set to make an impact in the 5k and 1500m events when she returns from a leg injury.
“We want to improve on our third place finish from last season. We have inspiring upperclassmen that are leading this cohesive squad. This team is a sign of good things to come,” Kinnaird said.
Both the men and women will travel to Claremont-Mudd-Scripps for the Rossi Relays on Feb. 26 at noon and battle for victory once again.
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