November 15, 2005 - Mountaineers Return Two ASU Record Holders in Hunt For Second-Straight SoCon Title
Boone, NC - Appalachian State University men’s indoor track and field looks to make it four-straight Southern Conference Championships for the men’s track and field and cross country programs, after sweeping the indoor and outdoor titles last season and finishing first at the cross country conference championship this season. Led by the 2005 outdoor track and field coach of the year, John Weaver, and the 2005 cross country coach of the year, Mike Curcio, the Mountaineers are one of the favorites to win their second SoCon Indoor Championship in as many years.
“The men’s team is looking pretty strong this season,” Weaver said. “We didn’t have many graduates last year. We have a pretty good nucleus of successful athletes coming back and feel like we had a good recruiting year, bringing in a very strong freshman class. We have a couple transfers that have come in as well that have added to the strength.”
“We feel very comfortable that we will continue to be at the top of the conference. We are certainly going to be one of the favorites to win the conference. Hopefully we can avoid injuries or any other kind of problems that can get in the way.”
The Mountaineers hope to ride the momentum of the cross country team that produced a SoCon championship, five all-SoCon honorees, the SoCon Coach of the Year and an all-Southeast Region honoree. The five all-SoCon honorees, all-region selection senior Adam Van Nortwick (Saranac Lake, N.Y.), senior Nathan Adams-Hernandez (Fayetteville, N.C.), junior Brian Deal (Alpharetta, Ga.), junior Brendon Helms (Matthews, N.C.) and senior Mike Mitchell (Huntersville, N.C.), will lead the strong corps of returning distance runners.
“Our distance kids had a great cross country season,” Weaver said. “We’re counting on Adam, Nathan, Brian, Brendon and Mike to spearhead our distance program into the conference championship this season.”
Another experienced group returning are the throwers, led by two-time indoor SoCon champion, NCAA qualifier and school record holder, senior shot putter Anthony Greer (Wilmington, N.C.). Joining Greer at the throws are sophomore Grant Haun (Charlotte, N.C.) and sophomore Adam Williams (Greensboro, N.C.) at javelin, and junior Tim McGuire (Connelly Springs, N.C.).
“Of the team we have returning, the throwers are some of our strongest,” Weaver said. “Anthony’s been great for us, and I expect big things from Grant, Adam and Tim as well.”
Junior Charlie White (Providence, N.C.) anchors the sprints this season after helping lead the 400-meter relay team to a second place finish at the outdoor SoCon Championships in 2005. Freshmen Daniel Neal (Fayetteville, N.C.) and Johnny Svoboda (Kernersville, N.C.) will add depth in the sprints.
“In the sprints we’ve got a couple good recruits in Daniel and Johnny, and with Charlie returning we should be successful,” Weaver said.
In the jumps, the Mountaineers return the SoCon indoor triple jump champion and second-place finisher in sophomore Mark Sturgis (Woodleaf, N.C.) and senior Chris Cutter (Charlotte, N.C.). To that group, Appalachian adds transfer, sophomore Ricky Harris (Durham, N.C.) and freshman Josh Cox (Jonesville, N.C.).
“We feel like Chris, Mark and Ricky are going to be the backbone in our jumps,” Weaver said. “Josh should be strong for us as well.”
Southern Conference pole vault champion, senior Dan Queen (Charlotte, N.C.) is joined by the conference runner-up, sophomore Barron Shell (Hays, N.C.) as the leaders in the vault this season. Junior Joe Irvin (Morganton, N.C.), senior Scott Rhyne (Catawba, N.C.) and sophomore Justin Hunnicutt (Wilmington, N.C.) are expected to add depth in the pole vault.
“Our vaulters are going to be very strong,” Weaver said. “We feel like we’re in good shape in the pole vault event.”
High school all-American, freshman Charles Derrickson (Spring Lake, N.C.) is expected to lead the team in the hurdles this season after a successful high school career at Pine Forest High School. He is joined by junior Dustin Wright (Millers Creek, N.C.) who is a SoCon champion and school record holder in the heptathlon, and Neal.
“In the hurdles, no one really scored last year,” Weaver said. “We’ve got a freshman state champion in Charles. Dustin will help us, along with Daniel. Those are the kids we think will add a big plus to our team as far as sprints go.”
“Overall I’m really impressed with the work ethic of these young men,” Weaver said. “The cross country team has put us in the position to try and win all three and go for the triple crown, so that’s something we’re going to have on our minds. Hopefully that will be an extra incentive for us. That pretty much equates to three stones in their ring opposed to just one or two. Our kids look at it as such a sense of pride. They’ve got a chance to do that now.”
New this season is the rule implemented by the Southern Conference coaches and officials that puts a 25-man limit on the number of student-athletes that can participate in the conference championships.
“We have new challenges for us this year with our 25-man limit, we have to pick 25 men of the 40 or so we have,” Weaver said. “We have to be ready. That is one of the nuances of our sport, we have to get everything done on one day, we don’t have tomorrow to improve. We really have to make sure our kids are prepared on that one championship weekend, otherwise we have to wait for next season.”
“Overall I’m pretty pleased with our team,” Weaver said. “We’re in the middle of preparing for the season and we’ll see what happens.”
December 2, 2005 - Citadel Track Begins Indoor Season Today
Charleston, SC - The Citadel men's and women's track team will open their 2005-06 indoor season today as they travel to Clemson, SC to participate in the Clemson Open beginning today and continuing through Saturday. Today's events are slated to begin at 5:00 pm while tomorrow's start will be at 11:00 am.
"We are very excited about getting the season started," commented head coach Jody Huddleston.
The women will look to some young talent this year, including freshmen Megan Jenkins and Sarah Strickland, who have already joined junior Laura Hewston in the The Citadel's cross country top-ten lists during their freshman campaigns. Huddleston will also depend on freshmen Erin Ritter, Monique Edwards, Caitlin Lincer and Teresa Dorman to lead the young Bulldog squad.
"This group will set several school records as the season progresses," said Huddleston.
The men will have a more experienced group to lean on as Thomas Cummings and Marcus Butler return for their senior year.
"Thomas is in the best shape of his career," remarked Huddleston.
Huddleston anticipates Cummings to have a good year in the 400m hurdles as Butler had a very productive fall during cross country and is expected to continue to be competitive. Juniors Quintin Wright, Thomas Pressley, Charles Kutz and Cameron Easley will also add much needed depth for the men's team.
Following the Clemson Open, the Bulldogs will travel to Chapel Hill, SC to compete at the University of North Carolina on Saturday, January 14.