2008 Track and Field Preview
The track & field teams are looking to improve on the
7th place conference finish of last year. Last year's
teams finished with many solid performances in the championship
meet and are expecting to continue the trend of moving up the
ladder. There were 13 all conference performers and one
All-American last year we're looking to add to that total. The
coaching staff is excited about the athletes returning and feel the
team will be much stronger with the freshmen, transfers and other
new athletes coming on board.
The men's team will be led by sprinter Chris Gartrell (08) after a
stellar year in which he was All-Conference in the 100, 200, &
4x400 relay. He will continue to be supported in the sprints by
Ryan Munoz (09), Matt Gocke (10), and TC Collymore (10). Collymore
will also participate in the jumps. Nick Daum (08) and Yuki
Miyagiwa (09) take over in the mid-distance. Matt Fink (08) is the
top returning thrower and is expected to come back strong after a
season ending injury last year. Incoming freshman to watch include
Ricky Carroll (short sprints), Jonathon Brasfield (long sprints),
and Brandon Wilcox (throws). The overall team depth shows the
potential to score in every event. The relay teams are expected to
show a huge amount of improvement due to the quality and depth of
the sprinters group.
The women's team will be led by All-American Shuree Gangloff (09)
in the throws (Shot Put, Discus, and Hammer). Gangloff will be
supported by Stephanie Warner (09) in the Javelin and she will also
participate in high jump. The throws group has a lot of quality and
depth with the addition of three freshmen: Domarin Khago, Essence
Scott, and Sheila Enos. The sprinters are gaining strength and
speed with junior transfer Stephanie Anderson, freshman Kashima
Patridge will be in the short sprints and jumps, as will Ebony
Sweeper-Muniz. They will give much needed help to Monique Melgarejo
(10). Darlene Partida (10) comes back in the distance after a
strong freshmen season and will be working alongside Julie Tyack
(08). They will be supported by fellow returner Adrianna Durflinger
(09). The mid distance is led by Erin Patterson (10) in the 400/800
as she had a strong rookie year and surprised many people with her
ability and determination. The relays teams are coming off their
best year in some time as the 4x100 relay team had just missed the
school record and the 4x400 relay set the record. Those marks
should both be in jeopardy again this year.
