Friday, April 6, 2007
Mercy College Track & Field Returning
Strong for the Outdoor Season
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Tyrik Overton |
DOBBS FERRY, N.Y. - With every member back from the indoor season along with some new faces in the mix for the Mercy College track and field team, the Flyers are expecting to have a strong outdoor season. "Most everyone is healthy, so I fully expect to see competitive efforts each week of the upcoming season," said head coach Darryl Bullock. "Our team sense of leadership is modeled upon action, therefore our spring mantra is "Define Yourself."
The indoor season proved to be a success for the Flyers with six record-breaking performances. Four of the records were set by the women's squad, with one each by freshmen high jumper and sprinter Janet Wong (Vancouver, Canada) and Sasha Atkins (Bronx, NY), while sophomore sprinter Katelyn Klobus (Averill Park, NY) recorded the other two in the 800m and 3,000m. Freshmen Carl Spence (St. Catherine's, Jamaica) and Tyrik Overton (Tarrytown, NY) set the new marks on the men's side in the 60 m dash and high jump, respectively. Mercy is looking to take that success with them into the outdoor season and build on it.
Overton and Wong became the first ever participants for Mercy in the men's and women's high jump, during the indoor season. Both improved as the winter progressed and are expected to carry it over into the spring. "Look for Janet and Tyrik to raise the bar in the high jump," said Bullock. Wong is also an accomplished javelin thrower. During her high school career she threw over 40 meters. "A personal and program goal is for Janet to qualify for the NCAA National Championship in the javelin," said Bullock.
While Klobus has been going strong since the fall in cross country, she is looking to accomplish even more. Coach Bullock also anticipates strong performances from his other returnees in Kevin Gibson (Buenos Aires, Argentina), Jose Gomez (Monroe, NY), Peter Yarema (Northport, NY), and Daniel Reeves (Babylon, NY). "The men's side saw progress among many team members throughout the indoor season," said Bullock. He also notes two key athletes on the women's side in Sharon Sklar (Chappaqua, NY) and Susan Paulsen (Chappaqua, NY).
Some new faces on the men's team include John Benvin (Thornwood, NY) and Thomas Cannariato (Goshen, NY) who will compete in sprints and long distance, respectively. Soccer stalwarts Stephanie Bann (New Cumberland, PA) and Jessica Fabian (Whitehall, PA) will also make their track debut this spring on the women's side. "John Benvin brings an exciting energy to our growing sprint program," said Bullock.
Mercy will begin its 2007 outdoor season on April 7, at the Bryant University Invitational. The next meets will be on the weekend of April 14, at the Coach "O" Invitational and the New York Relays. The CTC Outdoor Championships will be held from April 21-22 in Centre Valley, PA. The Flyers will finish up April in New Haven, CT at the Yale Springtime Invitational. Mercy will begin the month of May at the Kings Point Invitational combined with the ECC Championships, followed by the ECAC/IC4A Championships in Princeton, NJ. The Flyers are aiming to qualify for the NCAA Championships in Charlotte, NC on May 24-26.
"I am looking forward to higher team finishes at both the CTC and ECC Outdoor Track and Field Championships. I've read that Charlotte, NC is a beautiful city and I welcome a chance to visit during a NCAA Championship experience in May," said Bullock.
