|
Red Hawks Optimistic for 2010
The past two seasons the Red Hawks had one of the youngest track and field teams in the nation. On the men’s side the "youth movement" has been completed. The Red Hawks return 19 letter winners out of the 26 men who make up the roster. The women are just the opposite with only seven returning letter winners out of 19 team members.
"Not only are the men experienced but they are talented. The team also has nice balance among the different event groupings," head coach Robert Duley said. Even though we are experienced we only have one senior on the roster, so I am very optimistic about the future of our program."
That optimism is in part fueled by a strong distance group. This past fall the men won their fifth Wisconsin Private College championship (2002, 2005, 2007, 2008, and 2009) in the past eight years. Leading this group will be juniors Jason Smith (Stevens Point, Wis.), Ben Worcester (Chicago, Ill.) and Michael Dussault (Antioch, Ill.) and sophomore AJ Thew (Niagra, Wis.), all of whom have been All-Conference cross county performers. A fifth All-Conference performer, junior Lucas Felten (Libertyville, Ill.), will be studying off campus during the second semester.
Also coming off successful cross country campaigns are juniors Cody Jolin (Altoona, Wis.) and Jamie Reese (Columbus, Wis.), sophomores Jared Jorgensen (Glidden, Wis.), Robert Ottesen (Neshkoro, Wis.) and Derek Wallace (Madison, Wis.) and freshmen Cory Zimmerman (Grand Marsh, Wis.) and Trenton Cherco (Libertyville, Wis.). Several of the cross country group will run middle distances, with first year runner Max Herrmann (Appleton, Wis.) adding to that impressive list.
Another event group looking to carry the Red Hawks in 2010 will be the throwers, which is loaded with talent once again. Juniors Kyle Roy (Random Lake, Wis.), Jeff Trinka (Mukwonago, Wis.) and Matt Ingish (West Bend, Wis.) and senior Brad Bogenschutz (Hortonville, Wis.) are coming off successful 2009 seasons. Roy was a conference champion and NCAA qualifier in the indoor shot, while Trinka was a consistent place winner for the Red Hawks a year ago. Also looking to make an impact will be first year thrower Adam Sellner (Barrington, Ill.).
Another strong event group for the Red Hawks will be the sprinters, led by Reese, who is the school indoor 400 record holder. Joining him on sprints will be juniors Andrew Handeland (Mequon, Wis.), Majid Abdoulmoumine (Washington D.C.), sophomore Jayson Krause (Spring Grove, Ill.) and freshman Matt Wood (Port Washington, Wis.).
"This group will combine to make up some very strong relays as well as individual performances," said Duley.
The hurdles will be led by sophomore Marco Rhein (Berlin, Wis.) and Ben Seidl (Oshkosh, Wis.), who were both W.I.A.A. state place winners in the 110 high hurdles. They will need to step up to replace graduated indoor 55 high hurdle record holder Bob Wood.
The jumps are another strong area with juniors Reese, Abdoulmoumine and Max Bellmore (Libertyville, Ill.) and sophomore Ben Rabata (Beaver Dam, Wis.).
"We have some very strong individual athletes and a very talented supporting cast," Duley said. "No one individual athlete or event group will have to carry this team. Our strength is based on balance and depth."
The women’s strength will be in the track events, led by a strong distance group. Senior Jessica Davey (Berlin, Wis.), who is the school record holder in the 5K, will be joined by juniors Laura Reuling (Eagle River, Wis.) and Brooke Zank (Beloit, Wis.), sophomores Nikki Weichbrod (McFarland, Wis.), Alaina Nesbitt (Sturgeon Bay, Wis.) and Lauren Steuer and freshmen Lauren Colette (Antioch, Ill.), Shelby Dukes (LaCrosse, Wis.), Michelle Matter (Sussex, Wis.), Rebecca Ostrowski (Wautoma, Wis.), Amy Reuling (Eagle River, Wis.) and Katie Williams (DeForest, Wis.).
Davey and Matter were All-Conference in cross country this past fall, with Davey earning that distinction for the fourth time in her career.
"One very strong area for the women’s team will be on the track, in particular the middle and long distances," said Duley.
The sprinting group will be led by a talented trio of first year runners, Hannah Pearson (Beaver Dam, Wis.), Nicole Schmidt (Sturgeon Bay, Wis.) and Kelly Van Berkel (Brillion, Wis.).
"We have a nice sprinting group, which is something we lacked a year ago," said Duley.
First year multi-event specialist, Arynn Martin (Marshfield, Wis.) will compete in a variety of field and running events, while sophomore Katherine Shadle (Marengo, Ill.) will pole vault and do some sprinting. Meanwhile, sophomore Jessica Brungardt (Chatfield, Colo.) and freshman Brittany Johnson (Glenview, Wis.) will handle the throwing events for the Red Hawks.
"This will be a fun group to work with. We are young and talented and have excellent depth in the running events, which is a big improvement from last year," said Duley.
The Red Hawks will have quality performers in each running event, despite losing three very solid seniors from a year ago whom will be very hard to replace in Brittany Dick, Trisha Jones, and Erin Beggs. Both Dick and Jones hold school records in several events. Even with the loss of those three student-athletes, Ripon hopes to continue to move forward and improve each day.
"I am hoping our team balance will offset their loss," said Duley.
|
