2008 Outlook

2008 Track and Field Outlook

 With four national qualifiers returning and a strong incoming freshmen class, the future looks bright for the 2008 Cavaliers. Senior Ebony Williams (Akron, OH/Firestone) was the lone indoor qualifier in 2007 (5’ 4.5’’ in the high jump competition), as well as a former AMC champion in the high jump. Sophomore Danielle Cofojohn (Diamond, OH/Southeast, Discus, 143.6’’) and junior Maria Mudd (Suffield, OH/St. Thomas Aquinas, 3000 Walk, 7th) placed in the top ten at the NAIA National Outdoor Championships in 2007, while junior Andrea DiNinno (Greensburg, OH/Central Catholic) qualified for the outdoor marathon.

The throwing crew, which finished in the top eight in all AMC throwing events last year, will be tough to beat in 2008. Shot and discus specialist Cofojohn will lead the pack, with Amy Stermole (Sr., North Ridgeville, OH/HS, shot put and hammer), Abbey Marshall (Jr., New Boston, OH/Glenwood, javelin), and Maria Crookston (Massillon, OH/Jackson, shot put and hammer) rounding out the group. Add to the mix talented freshmen Holly Gospodinsky (Wadsworth, OH/HS), 2007 Suburban League Champion in the shot put, and state qualifier Sara Stone (Uniontown, OH/North Canton) in the discus, and the throwers will anchor this talented contingent.

The jumps will be headed by Williams, with junior Hillary Datillo (Mason, OH/HS) and Kathlyn Flathers (Fr., Kent, OH/HS) making strong contributions. Freshman Emma Heck (Canton, OH/Central Catholic), Stark County Record Holder in the pole vault, will also be a stalwart addition to the squad. Jessica Swihart (Jr., Canton, OH/GlenOak), Ashley Lewis (Fr., Louisville, OH/HS) and Chantelle Richards (Fr., Akron, OH/East) round out the field crew as the horizontal jump specialists.

The hurdle crew returns two top eight conference finishers. Jackie Misiak (Jr., North Royalton, OH/HS) and Swihart have been among the top in the AMC in the 100m hurdles and 400m hurdles. Abbie Sullivan (Jr., Canton, OH/GlenOak) and Katelyn Paul (So., Garrettsville, OH/Garfield) return this spring to add depth in the hurdles.

The 400m relay team remains intact, as they captured four first place finishes last spring; winning the Wooster Invitational, the Wooster Open, the Cardinal Invitational and the Al Campbell Open at the University of Akron. Veterans Brenna Kirkbride (Jr., Atwater, OH/Waterloo), Amy Vagedes (Jr., Canton, OH/St. Thomas Aquinas), Swihart and Casey Fischer (Sr., Aurora, OH/HS) make up the talented relay team. Fischer has anchored the 4x100m relay unit since her sophomore year at Aurora. Freshman Danielle Wise (Randolph, OH/Waterloo) looks to make an immediate impact in the short sprints.

Three 400m runners will vie for a spot on the 400m relay team and command attention in the mid-sprints. Sophomore Denise Sahli (East Canton, OH/HS) was a state qualifier in the 400m and shows sprint qualities in the 200m. Stephanie Sielski (Jr., Lancaster, OH/Fisher Catholic) and Richards will add depth to the 400m unit and push the talented relay squad.

The Cavalier Cross Country team (5th in the AMC this fall) helps to provide a solid base for the mid-distance crew. Andrea DiNinno (Jr., Greensburg, PA/Central Catholic), a national qualifier in 2007, puts in the mileage to command the top distance spot, as well as competing in the 3000m steeplechase. Kristen LeFever (So., Alliance, OH/Marlington), fresh off a national appearance last fall in cross country, will emerge in the mid-distance events. Lindsay Cooper (Sr., Canton, OH/Central Catholic) will again be a part of the 4x800m relay team, as she has been the past two years. Freshmen Jen Birney (Dover, OH/HS), Megan Case (Louisville, OH/HS) and Kristin Havens (Wadsworth, OH/HS) will be the top newcomers expected to fill spots in the mid-distance events. Freshmen Jackie Delameter (Uniontown, OH/North Canton) and Ashley Demsey (Parma, OH/Padua Franciscan) round out the distance crew.