Cross Country/Track & Field
2014-2015
Cross Country Track & Field
LAIKE WALLACE BECAH DELP
2014-15 Quick Facts General
School Name.........................................Wittenberg University Location............................................. Springfield, Ohio 45501 Founded..........................................................................1845 Enrollment......................................................................1,950 Nickname......................................................................Tigers Home Track & Field Facility....................Earl F. Morris Track at Edwards-Maurer Field Home Cross Country Course............John Bryan State Park National Affiliation...................................... NCAA Division III Conference.......................... North Coast Athletic Conference President..................................................... Dr. Laurie Joyner Alma Mater.................Loyola University New Orleans, 1986 Athletics Director....................................... Dr. Gary Williams Alma Mater...................................................Carthage, 1996 Athletics Phone............................................. (937) 327-6450
Coaching Staff
Head Coach.......................................................Craig Penney Alma Mater..........................................Edinboro State, 1976 E-mail............................................cpenney@wittenberg.edu Assistant Coach.................................................Paris Hilliard Assistant Coach......................................... Dennis Robinson Assistant Coach................................................Craig Binkley Track & Field/Cross Country Office............. (937) 327-6493 Athletic Trainer................................................. Ellen Crosbie Assistant Athletic Trainer.............................Greg Schneider Assistant Athletic Trainer............................... Molly Hopkins
Cross Country Team Information
Women’s 2013 NCAC Finish.............................................8th Men’s 2013 NCAC Finish..................................................9th
BREA MEDLOCK
Indoor Track & Field Team Information
Women’s 2014 NCAC Finish.............................................5th Men’s 2014 NCAC Finish..................................................4th
Outdoor Track & Field Team Information
Women’s 2014 NCAC Finish.............................................5th Men’s 2014 NCAC Finish..................................................5th
Find the Tigers on Facebook www.facebook.com/WittenbergAthletics www.facebook.com/WittTFXC
VICTOR BANJO
CREDITS: Photography by university photographer Erin Pence ‘04
Coaching Staff Head Coach Craig Penney Craig Penney brought a wealth of experience to the Wittenberg when he arrived in August 2006. Penney has led cross country and track teams at six colleges in more than 30 years as a head coach. One of his stops included Wittenberg rival and fellow North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) member College of Wooster. Prior to coming to Wittenberg, Penney was the head cross country coach and an administrative assistant for media relations at Shenandoah University. During his two years at Shenandoah, Penney guided five runners to all-conference honors and led three of those individuals to strong finishes in the NCAA Division III South Region Meet. Penney has earned conference coach of the year awards 12 times in his career. In 2000, he was named the United States of America Track and Field Mid-East Regional Track and Field Coach of the Year. Beyond Penney’s individual accolades, his teams have won 15 conference titles. He has also produced more than 250 all-conference performers, 20 most valuable player awards, 52 National Qualifiers and 32 All-Americans. He has also helped athletes set more than 70 new college records. At Wittenberg, Penney has led both teams into contention for NCAC
Assistant Coach Paris Hilliard
titles, including a program-best second-place finish by the Tiger women’s cross country team in 2009. Under his tutelage, Mary Pfeifer became just the second Wittenberg cross country runner to reach the NCAA Division III Championships, finishing in the top 100 in 2009, 2010 and 2011. Not only has Penney led his individuals to high levels of competition, his teams have also more than held their own in the classroom. Since arriving at Wittenberg, his teams have repeatedly earned USTFCCCA Division III All-Academic awards. On the men’s side, the Tigers have picked up seven straight awards between 2007 and 2013, while the Tiger women claimed awards in six of those same seven years, including a high of 3.57 cumulative grade point average in the 2013 fall semester. Penney has also been involved in other activities beyond coaching. From April 2003 through July 2004, Penney was the assistant conference planner and programmer for Penn State University Conferences & Institutes. He also has gained experience as a director of seven conference championship events and three NCAA Regional Cross Country Championships. During his time at Shenandoah as an administrative assistant, Penney helped to process media guide advertising and handled media relations responsibilities for postgame interviews. Penney, who was a double major at Edinboro State University, earned his master’s degree in sports administration from Ashland University.
Assistant Coaches
A native of Lorain, Ohio, Hilliard arrived at Wittenberg in 2011 after one year as a graduate assistant coach at his alma mater, Heidelberg University. That followed a stellar collegiate career for the Student Princes in which he earned 10 All-Ohio Athletic Conference honors and six all-state honors, including a first-place finish in the 200-meter dash in 2008. Hilliard was a member of four NCAA Division III provisional qualifying relay teams during his collegiate career, and he made NCAA Division III Championship appearances in 2007 and 2010. He also left his name in the Heidelberg record book as a member of two relays: the 4x200-meter indoor (1:30.04) and the 4x100-meter (41.45). After joining the Tiger staff, Hilliard helped Victor Banjo to two individual NCAA Division III All-American honors (60-meter dash, 100-meter dash) and coached the Tigers to 17 new school records in sprints, jumps, hurdles, and relays. He also guided the men’s 4x400-meter relay team to a new indoor NCAC record of 3:21.41. While attending Heidelberg, he was a member of Tau Pi Phi honorary and the Black Student Union, and was twice named to the Dean’s List. Hilliard graduated from Heidelberg in May of 2010 with a Bachelor of Science in sports management and business administration. In May 2013, Hilliard finished a master’s degree in education at Heidelberg. He currently resides in Springfield, Ohio.
Dennis Robinson
Craig Binkley
Joel Drake
2014-2015 TRACK & FIELD / CROSS COUNTRY
CAMPUS Wittenberg’s stunning 95-acre, rolling, wooded terrain is situated in the heart of Springfield, Ohio. An impressive blend of traditional European classicism and contemporary architecture is abundant amongst the 26 buildings throughout campus.
The University
ADMISSION Wittenberg consistently selects academically strong students. Of entering freshman, approximately 65 percent graduated in the top fifth of their high school classes. Each new class combines National Merit Scholars, Ohio Academic scholars and Lutheran Scholars. STUDENTS What strikes most people when they visit Wittenberg is the genuine friendliness and welcoming nature of the campus and its residents. There are more than 1,950 full-time students currently enrolled, representing more than 37 states and approximately 23 foreign countries; 45 percent of students are male, 55 percent are female. FACULTY Wittenberg’s 195 outstanding classroom instructors all consider students their top priority. With an average class size of 20 and a student-faculty ratio of 12-to-1, Wittenberg faculty and students have numerous opportunities for meaningful interaction both in and out of the classroom. PROGRAMS OF STUDY Wittenberg has more than 60 majors, minors and special programs from which to choose. Among these majors are such outstanding interdisciplinary programs as East Asian Studies, Russian and Central Eurasian Studies and Biochemistry/Molecular Biology.
MYERS HALL OFF-CAMPUS STUDIES Wittenberg encourages off-campus opportunities that complement the classroom experience: pursuing an internship, studying abroad, and getting involved in the community through volunteer programs and community service. STUDENT LIFE More than 150 campus organizations offer opportunities not only to have fun, but to gain management and leadership experience while at Wittenberg. These include 11 national fraternities and sororities, the Outdoors Club, WUSO radio station, Residence Life, Campus Ministries, Student Senate, Pre-Health Club and many more. ATHLETICS Wittenberg enjoys a long-standing reputation as an athletics powerhouse, fielding winning teams in many different sports. Wittenberg competes annually against the best competition that NCAA Division III has to offer. The athletics department offers 23 varsity intercollegiate athletic teams for men and women.
THE HOLLOW
RESIDENTIAL LIFE Wittenberg students live on campus in residence halls their first two years. Upperclassmen may choose to stay in the residence halls or move into Wittenberg’s campus housing, which includes apartments, houses and fraternity and sorority houses. FINANCIAL AID More than 98 percent of students are awarded financial aid at Wittenberg, thanks to the generosity and loyal support of more than 26,000 living alumni.
WEAVER CHAPEL
Athletics Facilities
ROSENCRANS FITNESS CENTER
EARL F. MORRIS TRACK AT EDWARDS-MAURER FIELD
Wittenberg Athletics Facilities Wittenberg’s athletics facilities are a unique blend of old and new, providing opportunities for a wide variety of recreational and fitness activities. The Health, Physical Education and Recreation Center (HPERC) is the centerpiece of the complex and hub of activity throughout the year. The main unit can be converted to three full-sized basketball courts or three volleyball courts. It seats 3,000 spectators for intercollegiate athletic events, and 4,300 for concerts and other public events. A second unit houses four racquetball courts with an upper balcony for instruction and two golf practice rooms with state-of-the-art equipment. Wittenberg’s Natatorium features a 25-meter by 25-yard swimming pool with one- and three-meter diving boards and a spectator viewing area. The Kremchek Family Athletic Training Room was completed in 2012 and includes more than 2,000 square feet of space and the latest in training equipment. The HPERC also includes the historic Wittenberg Field House, home to Tiger teams since 1929, the Heinzen Strength Center, and the Bob Rosencrans Hall of Honor Fitness Center, which was built in 2005. The strength center and the fitness center house the latest in training equipment to accommodate the wide range of needs of the entire campus. Edwards-Maurer Field and Earl F. Morris Track were renovated in 2005. EdwardsMaurer Field features an artificial playing surface and Earl F. Morris Track is a 400-meter
track outfitted with a cutting-edge surface. The entire complex is lighted, and it serves as home to the Tiger football, track, field hockey, men’s and women’s soccer, and men’s and women’s lacrosse teams. The David and Georgiana Albright Tennis Complex was completed in 1997. It houses 12 tennis courts that were re-surfaced in 2012. Six of the courts are lighted, including two sunken center courts with space for seating. Situated a few blocks from campus are Bill Edwards Field, which offers playing and practice fields, and Betty Dillahunt Field, home of the Tiger softball team. Less than two miles from campus is Carleton Davidson Stadium, which opened in 2004 and is the home of Tiger baseball. Owned and maintained by the City of Springfield, Carleton Davidson Stadium has seating capacity of 1,061, nearly half of which is under cover, a media center, locker rooms with showers and secured storage. The Tigers share the facility with the Champion City Kings, a collegiate summer baseball franchise that started play in the Prospect League in 2014. In 2014, Wittenberg embarked on an upgrade of its athletics facilities, with the commitment to build a new indoor multipurpose athletics and recreation facility. Once completed, the facility will provide year-round opportunities that will benefit the entire campus community, including varsity athletic teams, club teams and intramural sports.
PAM EVANS SMITH ARENA
HPER CENTER NATATORIUM
CARLETON DAVIDSON STADIUM
2014-2015 TRACK & FIELD / CROSS COUNTRY
CROSS COUNTRY RESULTS
Date 8/31 9/7 9/14 9/21 10/4 10/18 11/2 11/16 Date 12/7 1/18 1/25 2/1 2/8 2/15 2/21 2/22 2/28 3/7-8 3/14
Host at Dayton at Ohio Wesleyan at Pre-NCAC (Allegheny) at Otterbein at All-Ohio Championships at #JennaStrong Invitational at NCAC Championships at Great Lakes Regional
Men Women 1st 2nd (Class B) 6th of 12 9th of 11 3rd of 5 4th of 5 16th of 17 12th of 17 8th of 21 13th of 21 11th of 36 NS 9th of 10 8th of 9 19th of 35 25th of 33
2013-14 Season
INDOOR TRACK & FIELD RESULTS
Host Men Women at Tiffin NS NS at Otterbein 8th of 12 6th of 11 at Denison 4th of 4 3rd of 4 at Wooster 1st of 5 2nd of 5 at Ohio Northern 7th of 10 3rd of 9 at All-Ohio Invitational 8th of 19 11th of 18 at Ohio State NS NS at Capital 10th of 14 9th of 13 at Denison NS NS at NCAC Championships 4th of 9 5th of 8 at NCAA Championships NS Victor Banjo 11th in 60-meter dash
JON OSMAN
OUTDOOR TRACK & FIELD RESULTS
Date 3/21-22 3/29 4/5 4/12 4/19 4/25 5/2-3 5/12 5/16 5/22-24
Host Men Women at Emory 13th of 23 11th of 25 at Cedarville Cancelled (weather) WITTENBERG INV. 3rd of 7 2nd of 8 at All-Ohio Invitational 11th of 20 11th of 19 at Kenyon 6th of 14 8th of 13 at Denison NS NS at NCAC Championships 5th of 9 5th of 8 at Ohio Wesleyan NS NS at Louisville NS NS at NCAA Championships NS Laike Wallace 16th in 400-meter hurdles Justin Yates 19th in 400-meter dash
LORIN CONTI
POSTSEASON AWARDS Men’s Cross Country: All-NCAC Honorable Mention - Jon Osman Men’s Indoor Track & Field: All-NCAC Aaron Melsop (triple jump & long jump) Victor Banjo (60-meter dash) Laike Wallace (400-meter dash) Victor Banjo, Chris Frierson, Justin Fisher, Cody Shutt (4x200-meter relay) Chris Frierson, Cody Shutt, Justin Fisher, Laike Wallace (4x400-meter relay)
Men’s Outdoor Track & Field: All-NCAC Justin Yates (400-meter dash) Laike Wallace (400-meter hurdles) Chris Frierson, Cody Shutt, Justin Fisher, Aaron Melsop (4x100-meter relay) Laike Wallace, Chris Frierson, Justin Yates, Cody Shutt (4x400-meter relay) Aaron Melsop (long jump) Women’s Indoor Track & Field: All-NCAC Beverly Ochieng (triple jump) Becah Delp (pentathlon) Shelby Kaho (60-meter hurdles) Angela Roll (high jump)
Aliyah Myers, Frankie Bowsher, Alaina Longshore, Brea Medlock (4x200-meter relay) Frankie Bowsher, Alaina Longshore, Jordan Crow, Brea Medlock (4x400-meter relay) Women’s Outdoor Track & Field: All-NCAC Brea Medlock (200-meter dash) Jeanette Klamfoth (400-meter hurdles) Alaina Longshore, Aliyah Myers, Frankie Bowsher, Brea Medlock (4x100-meter relay) Frankie Bowsher, Alaina Longshore, Brea Medlock, Aliyah Myers (4x400-meter relay) Becah Delp (long jump & high jump) Beverly Ochieng (triple jump)
In 2013-2014, the Wittenberg Tigers...
• Won 5 North Coast Athletic Conference regular season championships in football, women’s soccer, volleyball, women’s lacrosse and men’s golf. • Finished in the top 5 in the final North Coast Athletic Conference standings in 16 of 23 sports • Finished 3rd in the final standings for the NCAC Dennis Collins Memorial All-Sports Trophy • Earned 6 NCAC Player of the Year trophies • Earned 4 NCAC Coach of the Year trophies • Placed 104 student-athletes on All-North Coast Athletic Conference teams • Placed 21 student-athletes on all-region teams and 8 on All-America teams • Earned 3 CoSIDA/Capital One Academic All-America awards • Finished 91st in the NACDA Director’s Cup (NCAA Division III all-sports comparison) thanks to postseason appearances by 4 teams
To schedule a visit, contact Coach Penney at cpenney@wittenberg.edu or 937-327-6493
2014-15 Season
2014 Cross Country Schedule 8/30 9/6 9/13 9/27 10/3 10/17 11/1 11/15 11/22
at at at at at at at at at
Dayton Meijer Flyer 5K Challenge Ohio Wesleyan Ohio Wesleyan Invitational Denison Pre-NCAC Invitational Wilmington Pre-National Championships Cedarville All-Ohio Invitational Wilmington #JennaStrong Classic Denison NCAC Championships Wilmington Great Lakes Regional Championships Wilmington NCAA Division III Championships
2015 Indoor Track & Field Schedule 12/6 1/17 1/24 1/31 2/7 2/14 2/20 2/21 2/27 2/28-3/1 3/6-7 3/13-14
at Tiffin Tiffin Alumni Open at Otterbein Otterbein Invitational at Denison Denison Lid-Lifter at Wooster Fighting Scots Invitational at Ohio Northern Joe Banks Invitational at Otterbein All-Ohio Invitational at Ohio State Buckeye Tune-Up at Capital Capital Classic/Rick Meindl Last Chance at Denison Denison Last Chance at Oberlin NCAC Combined Events at DePauw NCAC Championships at Winston-Salem, NC NCAA Division III Championships
FRANKIE BOWSHER
2015 Outdoor Track & Field Schedule 3/20-21 3/28 4/3 4/11 4/18 4/24 4/25-26 5/1-2 5/11-12 5/21-23
at Emory at Cedarville WITTENBERG at Ohio Wesleyan at Ohio Northern at Denison at Oberlin at Ohio Wesleyan at Ohio Wesleyan at St. Lawrence
Emory Invitational Yellow Jacket Collegiate Open WITTENBERG INVITATIONAL All-Ohio Invitational Polar Bear Invitational Big Red Invitational NCAC Combined Events NCAC Championships Ron Althoff Invitational NCAA Division III Championships
JUSTIN YATES
2014-2015 TRACK & FIELD / CROSS COUNTRY
Statement of Responsibility for Balance Between Academics & Athletics
Wittenberg Athletics Philosophy
Student-athletes are primarily responsible for balancing academics and athletics. However, recognizing the pressure that studentathletes face from competing time demands placed upon them by both professors and coaches, we establish the following statement of responsibility. The statement assumes that the student’s primary responsibility is to academic coursework and that practice sessions are always subordinate to class attendance. Students should work with advisers to schedule courses so that practices and contests are not in conflict with academic courses. Student-athletes are expected to contact professors in advance in order to resolve conflicts between class attendance and participation in athletic contests. It is recommended that student-athletes miss not more than four sessions of any class in a semester for regular season athletic contests. Permission of a Faculty Athletic Representative is required before additional excused absences will be permitted. Coaches will, as necessary, establish and maintain communications with the professors of team athletes regarding academic progress. Professors should feel free to contact coaches regarding the academic responsibilities of student-athletes.
The Wittenberg Athletic Department is an integral part of the university that strives to achieve the same standards of excellence that exist within various academic disciplines at the university. Further, the athletic department embraces the concept that the student-athletes are first and foremost students, possessing individual rights, academic abilities, personal interests and ambitions comparable to those of other members of the general student body. Wittenberg University is committed to the principles and practices of amateurism, student-athlete welfare, gender equity, sportsmanship and fair play, cultural diversity and overall athletics excellence, and this commitment shall reflect in every aspect of the athletics departmental operations.
The North Coast Athletic Conference and Wittenberg University work together to encourage good sportsmanship on the court, on the field and in the stands. The Wittenberg Athletics Department expects all competitors and spectators to help maintain an open, accepting and competitive environment in order to promote positive, enjoyable experiences for all involved with Division III athletics.