Men’s and women’s track teams aim high

After a successful winter season, the men and women's track teams have high hopes for what is to come out of the outdoor season: a trip to the NCAA National Championships.

Women's track captain senior Christine Marquez  said she believes they have a significant chance.

"The beginning of the season has gone extremely well," Marquez said. "We broke the school record by a lot in the 4x400m relay."


Marquez broke her own school record in the 400m at the Lafayette-Rider Invitational last season. She ran a 54.51, beating her previous 2008 record of 55.45. However, she said this was not her personal best.

"I want to carry my personal best over to the 400m in the outdoor season," Marquez said. "I want to be able to go a little faster."

Men's coach Jim Fischer said there were a lot of aspects from winter that he would like to carry over to the outdoor season. He said while the team was trying to perform well in the winter season, it was a steady basis for what they are currently practicing outdoors.

"There were three school records broken in the winter season including one freshmen record," Fischer said. "We had very good preparation this winter so hopefully that will be a springboard into the outdoor season."


Last weekend at William & Mary, the Hens set six school records, 19 top finishes and three NCAA provisional qualifying marks were earned. The women placed sixth overall out of 30 squads at the meet with 59 points.  The men finished 14 out of 30 teams with 21 points. Three first-place finishes were earned by the women along with 11 top 10 finishes. The men had eight top 10 finishes.

At William & Mary, the team of Karen Mandrachia, Yesenia Boynton, Samantha Jones and Kellyn Wright broke a record in the distance medley relay with a time of 12:16.23. Another record was broken with Jillian Seamon's javelin throw of 146'3" (44.59m).


While the outdoor season has been off to a great start, men's captain Gregg Cantwell said there are definitely things that need to be improved.

"I personally was not too happy with the indoor season," Cantwell said. "I thought I could have ran faster in different events so hopefully it will happen outdoor."


Cantwell said the team needs to be in better shape for the outdoor season. He said as a team he would like to see a more well-rounded conference meet.

"My main personal goal is to be in the top three for conferences, but as a team that would also be great," Cantwell said.  "I want to run better in all of the later season meets finishing strong all the way through."


For Marquez, her main goal is to make it to Nationals. She is already on the list for Regionals. 

"You have to stay on the list for Regionals and then you can actually run," she said. "I don't know what I am in the 400m, but I want to stay on the list because I am a senior and haven't been to Nationals yet."


Fischer said his objective is also to be in the top three as a team for conferences. He said the team is going to have to be sure it is well-prepared on the day of the meet.

Fischer said that the team as a whole is all doing exceptionally well and there are too many individuals to name, but one in particular stands out. Pole-vaulter Shane Ordway is one of the top in the university's history with his best vault being 4.70m.


"We have a number of people who can score in most of the events," Fischer said. "We feel like we are fielding a really good, solid team."

Marquez said there are many things she tries to accomplish as captain. She said she encourages her teammates by putting the goals, needs and good of the team first rather than their individual goals.


"I'm a strong believer that together everyone achieves more," she said. "I work together with my other team captains Kristi Cox, Leah Putman, Kellyn Wright and Karen Mandrachia to make sure our team is achieving our goals. I love being part of a team, and without my teammates, I would not be the athlete I am today."