Cedarville University

Andy Goodenough

2003 Season Outlook

Cedarville track & field head coach Paul Orchard knows this could be a "rebuilding year" in the men's program. There are no less than 19 freshmen on the roster which accounts for more than half of the team's competitors.

"We are very young in every event," stated Orchard, who is in his 10th year as coach of the Yellow Jackets. "One of our stronger areas looks to be in the throws. We also expect to have some success on the track in the distance events as usual."

Though inexperienced overall, the roster does include some talent. The most notable returnee is 800 meter specialist Drew Nelson. The senior was an NAIA Indoor All-American in the event last year when he placed 3rd in 1:54.73. He was the American Mideast Conference runner-up and ran a career-best 1:52.10 to finish 2nd at the Miami Invitational. Nelson was also a member of the winning AMC 4 x 800 meter relay squad.

Adam Laskos

Sophomore runner Andy Goodenough joins Nelson in the 800 meters. He finished 3rd in the AMC meet as a rookie with a career-best 1:55.50 clocking.

Kent Ruth is in his fourth season at Cedarville competing in the throwing events and is a three-time AMC runner-up in the javelin. He had a toss of 164-10 at the conference meet last year and unloaded a career-best heave of 176-4 to finish 3rd at the Cincinnati Classic.

Tim Beck, a sophomore with multi-event experience, was 3rd in the NCCAA javelin last spring. James Yahara, a junior in his second season at CU, Chris Hostetter, a transfer from Urbana University, and freshman Matt Stanley add depth to the contingent of throwers.

Drew Nelson

Distance runner Alan Bruder joins Nelson and Ruth as the lone seniors on the roster. He finished 4th in the AMC 10,000 meters and was 5th at the NCCAA. Freshman high jumper Joel Smith comes highly touted. He set his high school's record at 6-feet 8.50-inches and placed 2nd in the Wisconsin Division II state meet.

The Jackets will compete on the road for the entire 2003 indoor and outdoor seasons. Cedarville's new outdoor track & field complex is to be completed this summer and the new Fitness-Health-Recreation Center with its indoor track facilities is scheduled for completion this fall.

Cedarville will focus on the NCCAA and NAIA nationals during the indoor circuit. They will also set to peak at the AMC Championships and NCCAA Nationals toward the end of the outdoor season.