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2002 Season Outlook The Cedarville University women's track & field program has enjoyed a wealth of success during Paul Orchard's previous eight years at the helm with five NCCAA banners and a conference championship. The Lady Jackets appear to have adequate depth throughout all events which will keep them competitive for the 2002 season. "It's no secret that our strength on the track comes in the distance events from 1,500 meters on up," stated Orchard. "We're OK in the sprints and are pretty solid in the field events. We'll have some athletes compete for All-America recognition as we have in the past." Heading up the distance running contingent are those members of Cedarville's 2001 NAIA national championship cross country team. Juniors Erin Nehus, Jennifer Tetrick, and Heidi Wright all earned All-America honors in the fall.
Nehus, a three-time All-American in cross country, garnered indoor All-America honors this winter by placing fourth in the 5,000 meters. She is also the reigning NCCAA 3K and 5K champion and is the two-time defending American Mideast Conference 1,500 meter champion. Tetrick won the AMC 10K title in her first season on the track. Junior Kim McNeilance, sophomore Sarah Roberts, and freshman Abigail Winburn all ran on championship day at the NAIA cross country meet and bring their distance running talents to the track. Jennifer Nikerle has also been a solid distance runner during her two years in the program. Kate Beatty and Bekah Millet are the lone seniors on the roster. Beatty is a two-time NAIA All-American in the outdoor high jump. She is a two-time NCCAA champion in the 100 meter hurdles and also won the high jump last spring. A two-time AMC high jump champion, Beatty still holds the conference record at 5-6. Millet, who adds depth to the sprints, was a member of the AMC champion 4 x 100 meter relay squad and helped set the school record in the event last spring.
Junior sprinter Sharon Wright, who holds outdoor school records in the 4 x 100 and 4 x 400 meter relays as well as the 200 meter dash, returns to the track. She was an NCCAA All-American in the 4 x 400 along with sophomores Sara Gruber and Stephanie Hollingshead, and she was an AMC champion in the 4 x 100 along with Millet and sophomore Mary Rose Hocevar. Junior thrower Michalina Gluchowski and sophomore Michaela Cernetic were both NCCAA At-Large All-Americans in the hammer last spring. Junior Callie Edgington earned the same honor in the pole vault. The Lady Jackets will not have any home track meets this spring due to the construction of the new Fitness & Recreation Center. Highlighting the schedule is the NCCAA Nationals at Indiana Wesleyan, a trip to the NAIA Nationals, and five meets hosted by NCAA Division I schools. Cedarville's new lighted track & field complex, located at the north end of the campus, will be ready in time for the 2003 spring season. | ||||||||
