TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS & CREDITS
2010-11 REVIEW
COACHING STAFF
58 .................................................. All-Time Indoor Records 59 ................................................All-Time Outdoor Records 60.................................................... Indoor Top Five Records 62..................................................Outdoor Top Five Records 64...............................................Mountaineer Track Records 65......................................................Shell Building Records 66...............................................................ECAC Champions 67............................................ All-Time Coaches & Captains 68...................................................................All-Americans
2.................................................................. In the Spotlight 3............................................................A Winning Tradition 4............................................................ Community Service 5................................................. Strength and Conditioning 6................................................................. Athletic Training 7............................................................................. Facilities 8...........................................................BIG EAST Conference 10..................................................Student-Athlete Support 14......................................................................Campus Life 18................................................... Mountaineer Excellence 22 .................................................. Head Coach Sean Cleary 24 ...................................................Coach Cleary Highlights 25 .....................................Assistant Coach Shelly Gallimore 26 ...................................................................Support Staff
MOUNTAINEER PROFILES
28 ............................................................................ Rosters 29......................................................................... Returners 46...................................................................... Newcomers
54 ................................................................ Season Review
RECORD BOOK
WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY
74.............................................President James P. Clements 75........................................Director of Athletics Oliver Luck 76.......................................................................Senior Staff 77................................................................... Head Coaches 78.............................................................. Athletic Facilities 79........................................................... Media Information 80................................................... Sports Communications
2011-12 PREVIEW
50 ............................................................... Season Preview 51 ...................................................................... Quick Facts 52 ......................................................................... Schedule
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Credits: The 2011-12 West Virginia University track & field guide has been published by the WVU Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. Managing Editor: Joe Swan Editor: Tim Goodenow Author: Daniel Whitehead Page Layout & Design: BlaineTurner Advertising, Inc., Tim Goodenow Cover Design: BlaineTurner Advertising, Inc. Photographers: All-Pro Photography by Dale Sparks, Bill Barrett, Bob Beverly, John Bright, Tad Davis, M.G. Ellis, Pete Emerson, Dan Friend, Jeff Geissler, Tim Goodenow, David Green, Mike Hardy, Cordell Hoffer, Julia Lucas, Shannon McNamara, Dan Nagy, Brian Persinger, Steve Prunty, Chuck Scheer, Steve Smith, Martin Valent, WVU Athletic Archives, WVU Photographic Services, Alison Toffle, David Zicherman. Contributors: Andria Alvarez, Lisa Ammons, Julie Brown, Grant Dovey, Michael Fragale, Katie Kane, Brian Kuppelweiser, Cheryl Maust, Shannon McNamara, Bryan Messerly, Mike Montoro, Abby Norman, Ashleigh Pollart, Amy Prunty, John Riedesel, Gina Sporio. Š 2012 West Virginia University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics The indicia depicted are registered trademarks of West Virginia University. West Virginia University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action institution.
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IN THE SPOTLIGHT Choosing to become a Mountaineer is special. Without a professional sports team in the state, folks across the state and throughout the region love West Virginia University athletics. No school helps its student-athletes more than the people at WVU. Mountaineers have the unique opportunity to represent themselves, their teammates and their university to news media, alumni, friends, family and the general public. Your interaction with these groups is also part of your educational process. If you take advantage of these opportunities, it can have a positive effect, not only on your career as a student-athlete at West Virginia, but also on your life after you have donned the Old Gold and Blue.
A WINNING TRADITION Few programs across the country can equate the level of success the Mountaineers have enjoyed over recent years. Widely regarded as one of the most respected programs in the nation, the notoriety does not come without merit. Since taking over in 2007, coach Sean Cleary has allowed an already proud program to increase its output of honors as the number of AllAmerican, regional and conference awards have climbed the past five years. Under Cleary, 12 student-athletes have garnered All-America honors, while 27 athletes have achieved the rank in the history of WVU track and field. During the 2010-11 season alone, 13 All-America honors were captured by eight different athletes. The number of national honors in recent years are a reflection of the talent level of the program, which has achieved a Top-20 finish in both indoor and outdoor track and field the past four seasons. Over the past two seasons, WVU athletes have achieved 17 BIG EAST individual titles, and 12 athletes have qualified to participate at the NCAA Outdoor Championships, including a school-best seven in 2011. Off the track, the Mountaineers excel academically, as five CoSIDA Academic All-Americans, including three from 2010-11, have been claimed since 2007.
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COMMUNITY SERVICE Winning and working hard are important to the West Virginia University track and field team. However, becoming a positive force in the community is just as significant to each and every one of the student-athletes. To help, the Mountaineers give back to the Morgantown and surrounding communities at every possible chance. “We help with the Jerry Lewis Telethon, we do gift drives at Christmas, read aloud at schools and volunteer with local track teams,” coach Sean Cleary says. “It is important and our team knows that it is important to give back.” In their biggest project of the year, the Mountaineers volunteer their time to the Jerry Lewis Telethon. Aimed toward helping kids with muscular dystrophy and related diseases, the 21 ½-hour telethon was first aired in 1966 and has allocated more than $42 million to research projects and funded more than 300 projects worldwide. The Mountaineers do their part to help the cause by answering telephones, which are constantly ringing with donors. As the holiday season comes around, the Mountaineers can be found collecting gifts for local families that are in need so that they each can have a brighter Christmas. The team also regularly donates its time and knowledge by hosting and teaching local youth track clubs, including the WV Flyers, to learn the fundamentals of the sport. Along with strengthening the youngsters’ skills, they also teach the participants the importance of good sportsmanship, courage, determination and hard work. Coach Cleary’s players also can be found reading to children at elementary schools in the “Read Aloud” program. During their visit, the student-athletes read to students in several classrooms and encourage the older students to apply themselves to their studies. Mountaineer coaches and players also take part in Relay for Life of Monongalia County, the American Cancer Society’s signature activity. It offers everyone in the community an opportunity to participate in the fight against cancer. Teams of people camp out at WVU’s outdoor track and take turns walking or running around a track or path. Each team is asked to have a representative on the track at all times during the event. Relays are an overnight event, up to 24 hours in length. “Sometimes you get caught up in being ‘special’ and being the chosen few to get this phenomenal opportunity, but because they are granted this opportunity they know they should give back,” Cleary says. “They chose this lifestyle but there are always bigger things. When something nice is done for you, you better keep it going, because what goes around comes around.”
STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING The primary goal of the WVU strength and conditioning program is to provide each student-athlete with the best hands-on strength and conditioning program in the country, with the best strength coaches and training facilities in the nation. The strength & conditioning coaches facilitate a training environment that enables each athlete to reach her full athletic potential. Our training philosophy is founded on preparation for excellence by consistently training with intensity and attention to detail, utilizing injury prevention and sports specific training methods. “Our strength and conditioning staff is tremendous,” says coach Sean Cleary. “In every single angle, sports medicine, athletic training, academic services, strength and conditioning, there is nothing these kids don’t have.” To keep athletes in peak physical condition, West Virginia offers a variety of training areas and an array of strength programs designed to increase performance. All student-athletes also have their own program individually calculated and updated throughout the year. “There is no sport that is excluded from proper strength and conditioning workouts,” adds Cleary. “It is no longer just specific to what you are doing - these guys bring a level of professionalism to our student-athletes lives that is unmatched. Each student-athlete is closely monitored with workouts tailored for her specific event for maximum success.” The entire year is carefully planned and tailored to the track & field season to prepare for optimal performance during the season and peaking at championship meets.
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ATHLETIC TRAINING The West Virginia athletic training program looks to get its student-athletes back on the field in a timely manner while providing quality health care for its student-athletes and coaches. The scope of the athletic training services encompass various domains which include injury recognition, treatment, rehabilitation, prevention, education and counseling that will enable the athlete to maintain an optimal quality of life beyond the span of athletic competition. Multiple athletic training rooms are available for student-athletes furnished with the latest in technology and equipment. The athletic training staff will work in conjunction with the team physicians and athletic administration to ensure the student-athletes receive quality care throughout their careers at WVU.
FACILITIES Home to one of the finest indoor facilities in the region, the West Virginia University track and field team takes shelter in the winter months in the WVU Shell Building. Conveniently located beside the WVU Coliseum, the Shell Building houses the indoor track facility, which features a top-notch track as well as adequate room for field events. “We are very fortunate to have an indoor track in the WVU Shell Building,” says coach Sean Cleary. “I am a believer that you should be outside when you can be outside training in fresh air. But to be able to go in there on a sub-freezing day in adverse weather conditions is great. It is a luxury to have it.” Athletic training and strength and conditioning facilities are also located in the Shell Building, giving the Mountaineers the perfect place for training and competition purposes. Each season the Mountaineers hold events such as the WVU Holiday Classic, the Blue-Gold Invitational and the WVU State Farm Games, all featuring teams from across the state and the east coast. Just outside the doors of the WVU Shell Building is the outdoor track facility. Home to the Mountaineers when weather permits, West Virginia is lucky enough to have two top-notch facilities located side-by-side.
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BIG EAST CONFERENCE The 2011-12 academic year is the 33rd in the history of The BIG EAST Conference as the unique consortium marches on competing at the highest level with integrity and sportsmanship. The BIG EAST has gone through membership changes since its birth, but the 2011-12 year marks the conference’s seventh straight with the same 16-member group, making for the nation’s largest Division I-A conference. The conference’s goals have always been the same. The outstanding performances of the student-athletes at BIG EAST schools are evidence of the league’s proud tradition of success. The league has always been able to boast that many of its best students are also its best athletes. BIG EAST institutions reside in nine of the nation’s top 35 largest media markets, including New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., Tampa, Pittsburgh, Hartford, Cincinnati and Milwaukee. With its newest members, BIG EAST markets contain almost one-fourth of all television households in the U.S. Since opening its doors in 1979, the league has won 31 national championships in six different sports and 133 student-athletes have won individual national titles. While the membership has both increased and changed, the focus of the BIG EAST has not wavered. The conference reflects a tradition of broad-based programs, led by administrators and coaches who place a constant emphasis on academic integrity. Its student athletes own significantly high graduation rates and their record of scholastic achievement notably show a balance between intercollegiate athletics and academics. John Marinatto, who had served as senior associate commissioner, moved into the Commissioner’s chair in 2009 and has continued to steer the conference on its path of success. The league has long been considered a leader in innovative concepts in promotion and publicity, particularly regarding television. Those efforts have resulted in unparalleled visibility for BIG EAST student athletes. The conference has enjoyed longstanding relationships with CBS, ESPN, Inc. and ABC. The BIG EAST has its headquarters in Providence where the conference administers to more than 5,500 student-athletes. The 2011-12 BIG EAST Women’s Indoor Track & Field Championships will be held Feb. 18-19, at the New Balance Track & Field Center at the Armory in New York, N.Y. This year’s outdoor championships are slated for May 4-6, at the USF Soccer/Track & Field Stadium in Tampa, Fla.
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STUDENT-ATHLETE SUPPORT West Virginia University offers a variety of services and programs to help student-athletes maximize their academic potential. Department staff members work with coaches, on campus student service providers and faculty to help student-athletes meet the unique demands of the classroom, the sporting arena and the personal-social challenges they face as developing adults. While many of the headlines center on the Mountaineers’ accomplishments on the playing field, West Virginia athletes have also made some noteworthy strides in the classroom. Some of those strides include a string of eight consecutive years where the department has had at least one first team Academic All-American. To help its student athletes achieve academic success, one of the nation’s finest facilities resides in the WVU Coliseum – The Athletic Academic Performance Center. Coliseum Academic Performance Center – WVU Coliseum • 8,000-square foot facility providing individual and group study areas • State-of-the-art computer labs • Provides a quiet atmosphere and is open six days a week • The latest in fingerprint technology used when signing in • Center can be utilized around the student-athlete’s schedule • Center cost $1.3 million and opened in October of 2007 • Facility gift was provided by former Mountaineer great Jerry West and his wife, Karen, and the Robbins family. WVU’s Academic Support Services Provides • Team educational counselors • Tutoring services • Priority registration for student-athletes • Post-eligibility assistance Tutoring Service Facts • Over 75 tutors provide student-athletes with assistance in their classes • Upperclassmen, graduate students and community members serve as tutors in their area of specialty • Tutoring services are provided for all student-athletes regardless of scholarship status NCAA Certification West Virginia University received unconditional recertification in April 2010 from the NCAA Division I Committee on Athletics Certification, recognizing that the University’s athletic program is in “substantial conformity with operating principles” adopted by Division I schools. The purpose of athletics certification is to ensure integrity in the institution’s athletics program and to assist institutions in improving their athletics departments, the NCAA said.
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STUDENT-ATHLETE SUPPORT Graduation Rates West Virginia University’s graduation rate for student-athletes has been impressive, to say the least, over the past seven years. The ratio of student-athletes graduating to the general student body has increased almost every year. The graduation rate for student-athletes is based upon the number of students who entered the University receiving athletic scholarship aid in a given academic year, and their progress over six years. The most recent figures are based upon the progress of student-athletes who entered WVU during 2002-03. APR The West Virginia University women’s soccer team, men’s basketball team and women’s cross country team received public recognition in the spring of 2010 by the NCAA for their latest multiyear Academic Progress Rate (APR) scores. These teams posted multiyear APRs in the top 10 percent of all squads in each sport. Each year, the NCAA honors selected Division I sports teams by publicly recognizing their latest multiyear APR. The APR provides a real-time look at a team’s academic success each semester by tracking the academic progress of each student-athlete on scholarship. The APR accounts for eligibility, retention and graduation and provides a measure of each team’s academic performance. Student-Athlete Advisory Committee The Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) provides a forum for the “voice of the student-athlete” on WVU’s campus. SAAC membership provides feedback to administration about how to better WVU athletic programs. They offer input on the rules, regulations and policies that affect student-athletes’ lives on NCAA member institution campuses. CHAMPS/Life Skills The many challenges that today’s college student-athletes face, both on and off the playing field, are unmatched in the history of higher education. Unfortunately, many students are not well prepared to face these challenges or encounter life issues that undermine health and success in college. To prepare student-athletes for the demands of college life and beyond, the NCAA developed the CHAMPS (Challenging Athletes Minds for Personal Success)/Life Skills program. In the spring of 1995, the West Virginia University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics initiated its own CHAMPS/Life Skills program. WVU was one of only 170 schools selected by the NCAA to participate in their national pilot program. Five programming “commitment” areas viewed as critical to personal growth are part of WVU’s model. They are: 1) academic excellence, 2) personal development, 3) career development, 4) athletic excellence and 5) community service.
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CAMPUS LIFE Virginia University is a leading 21st century land-grant institution that is improving people’s lives through teaching, ð West discovery and outreach. WVU colleges and schools offer 193 degree programs from the bachelor’s through the doctoral and first-professional ð 13levels.
ð WVU students receive $317 million annually in grants, loans, work study, fee waivers and scholarships. campus offers one of the nation’s safest college environments — Reader’s Digest ranked it 18th among 135 U.S. ð WVU’s colleges and universities and gave WVU an ‘A’ for its strong commitment to safety. American institute for Economic Research named Morgantown one of America’s “Best College Towns.” Kiplinger’s ð The Personal Finance magazine listed the city 29th among “50 Smart Places to Live.” and job opportunities were among the factors Men’s Journal magazine cited in naming Morgantown the ð Recreational nation’s third-best small city. Sporting News named Morgantown one of its “Best Sports Cities.” Careerbuilder.com ranked the city as one of the “25 Best Cities to Find a Job.”
main Morgantown location includes three distinct campuses—Downtown, Evansdale and the Health Sciences ð WVU’s campus. The Personal Rapid Transit (PRT) system — named top people-mover in the nation - has shuttled people among the campuses since the U.S. Department of Transportation built it 30 years ago.
Student Recreation Center offers a six-lane lap pool and a leisure pool; a 20-person whirlpool; seven courts for ð The basketball, volleyball, and badminton; fitness machines and free weights covering 17,000 square feet; and a 50-foot climbing wall.
ð WVU has produced 25 Rhodes Scholars, more than any other school in the BIG EAST Conference. FBI chose WVU as its national leader for biometrics research. WVU is the academic arm of the FBI’s Biometric Center of ð The Excellence. WVU School of Medicine’s Rural Medicine Program is ranked in U.S. News & World Report’s top 10 graduate programs in ð The the field. More than two dozen WVU graduate programs are ranked by the publication as among the nation’s best.
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CAMPUS LIFE WVU: A Brief Profile WVU is one of only 11 schools in the country that are land-grant, doctoral research universities with a comprehensive medical school. Students: WVU’s main campus fall 2011 enrollment was 29,617. Alumni: The new Erickson Alumni Center is a gathering place for WVU’s more than 175,000 alumni worldwide. Degree Programs: WVU offers 193 bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral, and professional degree programs. Division Campuses: Potomac State College of WVU; WVU Institute of Technology Health Sciences Center Divisions: Charleston Division, Health Sciences Center, Charleston, W.Va.; Eastern Division, Health Sciences Center, Martinsburg, W.Va. Major Academic Divisions: Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Design, Eberly College of Arts and Sciences, College of Business and Economics, College of Creative Arts, School of Dentistry, College of Engineering and Mineral Resources, Honors College, College of Human Resources and Education, Perley Isaac Reed School of Journalism, College of Law, School of Medicine, School of Nursing, School of Pharmacy, College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences, Potomac State College of WVU, WVU Institute of Technology Visitors Resource Center: Located on the Morgantown Waterfront, the Visitors Resource Center features unique, cutting-edge displays and traditional West Virginia hospitality. Operating hours: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. M-F; 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sat. (closed Sundays and most University holidays). Guided tours with friendly knowledgeable student guides M-F at 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. and Sat. at 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., except home football Saturdays. Phone: 304-293-3489. Visit: http://visit.wvu.edu Admission Information: Information is available from the Office of Admissions and Records, PO Box 6090, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506-6090; or call 304-293-2121 or visit WVU on the web: http://www.wvu.edu; E-mail: go2wvu@mail. wvu.edu Mountaineer Parents Club Helpline: Receive information or share comments by calling 1-800-WVU-0096. Someone will respond within one business day if possible.
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WVU ATHLETICS 2010-11 BY THE NUMBERS Team Record Baseball: 28-27 Cross Country: 5th place at BIG EAST Championships & 5th place at NCAA Regionals Men’s Basketball: 21-12, 11-7 BIG EAST (NCAA 3rd Round) Women’s Basketball: 24-10, 8-8 BIG EAST (NCAA 2nd Round) Football: 9-3, 5-2 BIG EAST (Share of regular-season conference title) (Champs Sports Bowl Game) Gymnastics: 13-10, 10-4 EAGL (6th place at NCAA Regionals) Rowing: 7th BIG EAST Men’s Soccer: 11-8-2, 5-4-0 BIG EAST (NCAA 2nd Round) Women’s Soccer: 18-5-1, 9-1-1 BIG EAST (BIG EAST Champions) (NCAA Sweet 16) Men’s Swimming and Diving: 4-2, 4th BIG EAST (3 NCAA qualifiers) Women’s Swimming and Diving: 2-7, 3rd BIG EAST (1 NCAA qualifier) Women’s Tennis: 8-14 Rifle: 11-2, 5-1 GARC (2nd NCAA); GARC Postseason Champions (NCAA Air Rifle Champions) Ranked No. 1 all season; Nicco Campriani was the NCAA Air Rifle Champion Women’s Track: Indoor: 5th BIG EAST, 18th NCAA; Outdoor: 2nd BIG EAST, 20th NCAA Volleyball: 15-15, 5-9 BIG EAST Wrestling: 9-6, 4-2 EWL, 5 NCAA qualifiers NCAA Individual Champions Nicco Campriani, NCAA Air Rifle First Team All-Americans Keri Bland, Indoor Track, NCAA Nicco Campriani, Rifle, National Rifle Association (NRA) (smallbore and air rifle) Chelsea Carrier, Indoor Track, NCAA Chelsea Carrier, Outdoor Track, NCAA John Flowers, 2011 Lefty Driesell Defensive All-America Team Kaitlyn Gillespie, Cross Country, USTFCCCA Kate Harrison, Outdoor Track, NCAA Robert Sands, Football, Sporting News Rachel Viglianco, Rowing, National Strength and Conditioning Association Petra Zublasing, Rifle, National Rifle Association (NRA) (air rifle)
Team Champions Women’s Soccer, BIG EAST Rifle, GARC BIG EAST Champions Rachael Burnett, Women’s Swimming (500 Free, 400 IM) Taylor Camp, Men’s Swimming (100 Fly) Chelsea Carrier, Women’s Indoor Track (pentathlon, 60m hurdles), Women’s Outdoor Track (long jump, 100m, 400m hurdles) Kate Harrison, Women’s Outdoor Track (10,000-meter run) Mandie Nugent, Women’s Swimming (200 Fly) Jessica O’Connell, Women’s Indoor Track (3,000m) April Rotilio, Women’s Outdoor Track (400-meter dash) EAGL Champions Amy Bieski, Gymnastics (uneven bars) GARC Champions Nicco Campriani, Rifle (air rifle, smallbore, & combined score) BIG EAST Individual Awards Rachael Burnett, Women’s Swimming, 2011 co-BIG EAST Women’s Most Outstanding Swimmer Kerri Butler, Women’s Soccer, 2010 BIG EAST Championship Most Outstanding Defensive Player Kerri Butler, Women’s Soccer, 2010 BIG EAST Championship All-Tournament team Chelsea Carrier, Women’s Track, 2011 BIG EAST Indoor Most Outstanding Field Athlete Chelsea Carrier, Women’s Track, 2011 BIG EAST Outdoor Most Outstanding Track Performer of the Meet Meghan Lewis, Women’s Soccer, 2010 BIG EAST Championship Most Outstanding Offensive Player Meghan Lewis, Women’s Soccer, 2010 BIG EAST Championship All-Tournament team Bry McCarthy, Women’s Soccer, 2010 BIG EAST Championship All-Tournament Team Blake Miller, Women’s Soccer, 2010 BIG EAST Championship All-Tournament Team Megan Mischler, Women’s Soccer, 2010 BIG EAST Championship All-Tournament Team Mandie Nugent, Women’s Swimming, 2011 co-BIG EAST Women’s Most Outstanding Swimmer Liz Repella, Women’s Basketball, 2010-11 BIG EAST ScholarAthlete Sport Excellence Award Frances Silva, Women’s Soccer, BIG EAST all-Rookie Team Rachel Viglianco, Rowing, 2010-11 BIG EAST ScholarAthlete Sport Excellence Award BIG EAST Women’s Staff of the Year, Women’s Outdoor Track
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WVU ATHLETICS 2010-11 BY THE NUMBERS Major Awards Amy Bieski, Gymnastics, EAGL Gymnast of the Year Amy Bieski, Gymnastics, EAGL Outstanding Senior of the Year Nicco Campriani, Rifle, GARC Shooter of the Year Nicco Campriani, Rifle, GARC Senior of the Year Nicco Campriani, Rifle, GARC Scholar-Athlete Liz Repella, Women’s Basketball, Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award Finalist Red Brown Cup Award Nicco Campriani, Rifle Liz Repella, Women’s Basketball Fred Schaus Captain’s Award Keri Bland, Track and Field Chris Neild, Football
coaches athletes preview review records wvu media
[ 2011-12 TRACK & FIELD ] 21
Sean Cleary
[ head coach • fifth season, 20th overall • west virginia, ‘92 ]
CLEARY FILE COACHING EXPERIENCE WEST VIRGINIA, 1993-PRESENT • Fifth season as Head Coach • 20th season overall with the program • 13 All-America track performances • Five ESPN The Magazine/CoSIDA Academic All-Americans • Three Capital One Academic all-district honorees in 2011 • 2009-10 BIG EAST Scholar-Athlete Sport Excellence Award – Marie-Louise Asselin • 12 NCAA Regional qualifiers in 2011, tied for school record • Two-time Mid-Atlantic Field Athlete of the Year (2010-11) – Chelsea Carrier • 2008-09 Mid-Atlantic Track Athlete of the Year - Clara Grandt • 2008-09 BIG EAST Indoor Most Out standing Track Performer - Keri Bland • 2008 1,000 NCAA APR score • 23 BIG EAST champions • Four ECAC champions • Numerous NCAA National qualifiers • 10 USTFCCCA All-Academic team members in 2010
Sean Cleary, one of the sport’s most talented and knowledgeable coaches, is in his fifth season at the helm of the West Virginia University cross country and track and field teams after being associated with the program for 20 years. With his expertise in mentoring, training, conditioning and recruiting of athletes, Cleary has quickly built West Virginia’s programs into a national powerhouse with numerous All-Americans and several all-conference runners. Coming off one of the most successful seasons in WVU track and field history, Cleary continues to validate his reputation as one of the top coaches in the nation. In 2011, the Mountaineers earned their fourth consecutive Top-20 finish in both indoor and outdoor track, a year in which 13 All-American performances were turned in by eight athletes, including four from nine-time AllAmerican, Chelsea Carrier. At the conference level, eight WVU were crowned BIG EAST champions and Cleary and his staff were given the BIG EAST Coaching Staff of the Year award. Cleary was also one of eight finalists for the USTFCCCA National Coach of the Year award. In 2009-10, Cleary aided the WVU track and field team to the national spotlight as it finished the season listed at No. 5 on the Terry Crawford Program of the Year Award list, given to the top programs in terms of finishes in track and field, cross country and academics. On its way to earning that honor, WVU saw eight All-Americans, a 10th-place finish at the NCAA Indoor Championships, 16th-place finish at the NCAA Outdoor Championships, fourth-place showings at the BIG EAST Indoor and Outdoor Championships and five conference champions. Junior Chelsea Carrier made strides into becoming one of the best athletes in school history, earning her first All-America honors last season as she finished fourth in the pentathlon and sixth in the 60-meter hurdles at the NCAA Indoor Championships. Carrier was also named the Mid-Atlantic Field
RUNNING EXPERIENCE WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY, 1991-92 • Helped 1991 team to Atlantic 10 title • Earned all-conference honors in 1992 EDUCATION WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY, 1992 • Bachelor’s degree (physical education)
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Athlete of the Year after earning two BIG EAST Champion honors and breaking the school record in the pentathlon at the Sykes-Sabock Challenge on Feb. 5. Cleary also saw WVU greats Marie-Louise Asselin, Keri Bland and Clara Grandt earn All-America honors in three sports in the same season (cross country, indoor track and outdoor track). The 2008-09 track team was a testament to his success as it finished the year with four athletes qualifying for national meets and three qualifying for the NCAA Championships. Grandt led the team as she earned her first All-America honor for finishing fourth in the 10,000-meter finals. The West Union, W.Va., native was also named MidAtlantic Region Track Athlete of the Year by the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) for her efforts throughout the season. In his first season as head coach, Cleary saw Asselin and Bland claim BIG EAST indoor titles in the 3,000-meter and 1,000-meter, respectively, while the distance medley relay (DMR) set a BIG EAST meet record while winning the indoor crown. The DMR went on to place fourth at nationals and Asselin placed seventh in the 3,000-meter to earn All-America honors. He also helped Grandt break a 28-year record in the 10,000-meter at the ECAC Outdoor Championships and saw Carrier win her first league title in the 100-meter hurdles during her freshman outdoor season. Bland finished the 2008 outdoor season by earning All-America honors in the 1,500-meter to become the first female in WVU history to earn All-America honors in three sports in the same year (cross country, indoor track and outdoor track). The 2009 cross country season can only be described as historic. Ranked in the top 10 all season by the USTFCCCA, the Mountaineers raced their way to a sixth-place finish at the NCAA Division I Cross Country Championship, marking the third consecutive season WVU finished in the top
Under Sean Cleary, WVU track & field has finished with four consecutive Top 20 NCAA finishes
Sean Cleary
[ head coach • fifth season, 20th overall • west virginia, ‘92 ] 10. Also, Cleary saw three runners in Grandt, Asselin and Bland earn All-America honors. Both Asselin and Bland etched their names in the WVU record books as the first WVU cross country runners to earn the honor for three consecutive seasons and the first runners to be named to the all-region team in four straight seasons. In just his second year with the WVU cross country team in 2008, Cleary led the squad to several top finishes as it rewrote the school record books. In the top 10 by the USTFCCCA Division I Women’s National Poll for the entire season, the Mountaineers were ranked a then-team-best No. 5 three times throughout the year. Cleary led his nationally ranked squad to a fourth-place finish at the NCAA Championship, the highest finish in school history, and guided Asselin and Bland to their second consecutive All-America honors. The Mountaineers qualified for nationals with their second NCAA Mid-Atlantic Region Championship, where they tied Princeton with 51 team points. WVU also garnered more honors with six runners being named to the all-Mid-Atlantic region team. At the conference level, Asselin became the first individual champion in school history at the BIG EAST Championship, where the team finished second. Asselin, Grandt and Bland were named to the all-BIG EAST team. For his accomplishments in leading the Mountaineers, Cleary was named the 2008 NCAA Mid-Atlantic Region Coach of the Year for the third time in his career and for the second-consecutive season by the USTFCCCA. In addition to his teams’ accomplishments in 2008 and 2009, perhaps the most significant achievement was in the classroom as the cross country and track teams received recognition by the NCAA for their latest multi-year Academic Progress Rate (APR) scores. Both teams posted multi-year APR scores in the top 10 percent of all squads in their respective sports. Cleary’s first season in charge of cross country was a recordsetting one as well, as the Georgetown, Ontario, native guided the 2007 cross country team to its first BIG EAST Championship in school history. Cleary had a then-school record three all-BIG EAST performers in 2007 and brought WVU back into the top 25 of the national polls for the first time since 2004. He then followed up a conference title with a second-place finish at the Mid-Atlantic Regional to qualify for the team’s fourth-ever appearance at nationals. There, Cleary ran a lineup of all sophomores and placed ninth in the country, the highest finish in school history at the time. Asselin and Bland earned All-America honors, and Cleary was named the Mid-Atlantic Region Coach of the Year for the second time in his career. Before taking over as head coach, Cleary previously served as the distance coach in 2005 and 2006 and was a full-time assistant from 2001-04, serving as the primary coach and trainer for the cross country team during that span. Prior to the 2001 season, Cleary served as a graduate assistant coach for eight seasons at WVU. In 2006, Cleary brought a young team along nicely before season’s end. That squad claimed a sixth-place finish at the 2006 BIG EAST Championship, improving from 12th the year before. Then, perhaps one of the biggest surprises of the 2006 Mid-Atlantic Regional Championship was the finish of Cleary’s group. Despite having more than 60 percent of the roster comprised of freshmen, WVU registered a fourth-place finish at regionals after spending all season ranked between 10th and 12th in the regional polls. Four of WVU’s top five finishers were freshmen. In the 2005 outdoor track season, Cleary coached five NCAA regional qualifiers. In 2005, Jennifer Kemp won the NCAA Regional
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Championships in the 800-meter, while Jennifer Davis was the 3,000-meter ECAC champion. Megan Metcalfe won the national championship in the 5,000-meter, becoming the third women’s track athlete in school history to win an individual national championship. From 1998 to 2004, WVU’s distance medley relay team qualified for nationals seven-consecutive years, the second-longest streak in the nation under Cleary’s watch. Cleary worked closely with former head coach Martin Pushkin in building the women’s cross country team into a national contender. Cleary was responsible for the recruitment and mentoring of NCAA mile champion Kate Vermeulen as well as All-Americans Rebecca Stallwood, Merissa Sexsmith and Metcalfe. Metcalfe became Cleary’s second national champion, 37th All-American and 102nd NCAA qualifier. Under his guidance, Cleary’s coaching produced several AllAmerica runners, including four-time All-American Bob Donker, NCAA cross country All-Americans Wynston Alberts, Mike Dudley and Steve Bohan, two-time NCAA qualifiers Jeff Metcaff and Bohan, NCAA qualifier Ian Collings and 5,000-meter All-American Mark Vilardo. Cleary, who holds a USATF Level I Certification, is the primary recruiter for the cross country squad, attracting the best in-state, out-of-state and international athletes. Cleary is also responsible for scheduling all meets and serves as the director for home meets. He was a member of the Mountaineer cross country team in 1991 and 1992, and helped the 1991 squad capture the Atlantic 10 cross country title as he earned all-conference honors his last season, while helping West Virginia to a second-place conference finish. Cleary attended Central Oregon Community College where he helped lead the team to the National Junior College Athletic Association title. Cleary received a bachelor’s degree in physical education from WVU in 1992.
[ 2011-12 TRACK & FIELD ] 23
Cleary Highlights
[ recent accomplishments under coach cleary ] TRACK & FIELD - 13 All-American performances by eight athletes during the 2011 season - Sent school-record seven athletes to the NCAA Outdoor Championships - Eight BIG EAST champions in 2011 and tied school-record 12 athletes sent to regionals - Eight All-Americans in 2010 - Listed at No. 5 on the Terry Crawford Program of the Year list - 10th place at NCAA Indoor Championships - 16th place at the NCAA Outdoor Championships - Fourth-place finishes at BIG EAST Indoor and Outdoor Championships - 2010 Mid-Atlantic Field Athlete of the Year - Five conference champions in 2010 - Four NCAA Qualifiers in 2008 - 2008-09 Mid-Atlantic Region Track Athlete of the Year - 2009 BIG EAST Indoor Most Outstanding Track Performer - Nine BIG EAST champions in 2009 - Four ECAC champions - Four USTFCCCA All-Academic team members - Two NCAC Champions - Two Team USA cross country members (Metcalfe, Grandt) CROSS COUNTRY - Four top-10 finishes the past five years (2007, 2008, 2009,2011) - Two All-Americans in 2011 (Kate Harrison and Kaitlyn Gillespie) - One All-American 2010 (Kaitlyn Gillespie) - 2009 BIG EAST runner-ups - Three all-BIG EAST runners in 2009 - Five all-region runners in 2009 - Won three of four regular season races in 2009 - Saw highest ranking in school history at No. 3 (11/6/09) - Highest NCAA finish in school history in 2008 – fourth place - 2008 NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional Champion - 2008 BIG EAST Championship runner-up - 2008 1,000 NCAA APR Score - 2007 BIG EAST Champions - 2007, 2008 Mid-Atlantic Coach of the Year - 2007 BIG EAST Coaching Staff of the Year DISTANCE MEDLEY RELAY - Eighth at 2010 NCAAs/All-American - Fourth at 2008 NCAAs/All-American - BIG EAST meet record and school record MARIE-LOUISE ASSELIN - 2007-10 All-American - 2010 All-American in three sports (cross county, indoor track and outdoor track) - 2010 ESPN The Magazine/CoSIDA Academic all-District first team - 2010 BIG EAST Scholar-Athlete Sport Excellence Award - 2010 runner up at NCAA Indoor Championships (5,000-meter) - 2010 runner up at the NCAA Outdoor Championships (5,000-meter) - 2010 BIG EAST Indoor Champion in the 5,000-meter run - 2007, 2008, 2009 Cross Country All-American - 2008 BIG EAST individual cross country champion - 2008-10 all-BIG EAST team - 2007-10 all-Mid-Atlantic Region team - 2008 ESPN The Magazine/CoSIDA Academic all-District first team - 2007 seventh at NCAA track and field Championships in 3,000-meter - 2007 3,000-meter BIG EAST indoor track and field champion - 2007 ESPN The Magazine/CoSIDA Academic All-American national third team KATELYN WILLIAMS - Third team All-American in high jump during 2011 outdoor season - Third team All-American in high jump during 2010 outdoor season - Penn Relays high jump division champion in 2010 - NCAA Regional outdoor qualifier as a freshman
24 [ WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY ]
Coach Cleary KERI BLAND - 2011 third team All-America in 1,500-meter run - 2011 third team CoSIDA Academic All-American - 2007-10 All-American in all three sports - 2009 BIG EAST Indoor Championship Most Outstanding Performer - Set school and BIG EAST Championship meet record in mile event at 2009 Indoor Championships - First WVU female to become All-American in three sports in same year - 2007, 2008, 2009 Cross Country All-American - 2008-10 all-BIG EAST team - 2007-10 all-Mid-Atlantic Region team - 2008 ESPN The Magazine/CoSIDA Academic all-District second team - 2008 1,000-meter BIG EAST indoor track and field champion - 2008 10th in NCAA outdoor 1,500-meter CLARA GRANDT - 2010 All-American in three sports - 2009 Cross Country All-American - 2009 NCAA Mid-Atlantic Region Track Athlete of the Year - 10,000-meter ECAC outdoor meet record - NCAA outdoor qualifier in 5,000-meter and 10,000-meter - 2008 Team USA Cross Country team member - NCAC Champion - 2008 all-BIG EAST team - 2008 all-Mid-Atlantic Region team CHELSEA CARRIER - 2011 First team All-American in heptathlon - 2011 Third team All-American in 100-meter hurdles - 2011 Third team All-American in 60-meter hurdles and pentathlon - 2011 Broke school records in 60-meter hurdles, pentathlon, 100-meter hurdles and heptathlon - 2010 two-time All-American (Pentathlon and 60-meter hurdles) - 2010 Mid-Atlantic Field Athlete of the Year - 2010 BIG EAST Indoor Champion in the Pentathlon and 60-meter hurdles - 15th in the pentathlon event at the 2009 NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships - 2009 100-meter hurdles BIG EAST outdoor champion, ECAC and NCAA qualifier - 60-meter hurdles ECAC indoor champion
Shelly-Anne Gallimore
[ assistant coach • fourth season, sixth overall • auburn, ‘04 ]
GALLIMORE FILE COACHING EXPERIENCE WEST VIRGINIA, 2008-PRESENT • Assistant Coach • Works with horizontal and vertical jump groups • Coached Katelyn Williams and Meghan Mock to the 2011 NCAA Outdoor Championships • Coached Katelyn Williams to the 2010 NCAA Outdoor Championships • Two-time Mid-Atlantic Field Athlete of the Year (2010-11) – Chelsea Carrier • Coached a USA Juniors Trial qualifier
Shelly-Anne Gallimore enters her fourth season as an assistant coach with West Virginia University’s track coaching staff after working with the Mountaineers for two seasons as a graduate assistant. Her duties include designing and administering training plans for the horizontal and vertical jump groups, as well as assisting with meet management for all home track meets. Under her tutelage, she has coached a USA Juniors trial and several NCAA Regional qualifiers in the high jump. In 2011, she was instrumental in helping high jumper Katelyn Williams and long jumper Meghan Mock earn their first ever All-America honors through close supervision and strength and conditioning modifications. In 2010, Gallimore aided multi-event studentathlete Chelsea Carrier with her jumps as she earned her first-ever All-America status in the pentathlon and Mid-Atlantic Field Athlete of the Year honors during the indoor season. During the outdoor season, Gallimore saw junior Katelyn Williams to the NCAA Outdoor Championships as the first high-jumper to represent WVU at the national championships since 1990. In 2009, she aided Williams to the 2009 Canadian Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Toronto, where she cleared 1.71-meters, while
Natasha Redman jumped a personal-best 1.75-meters at the Duke/Asics Invitational to qualify for the NCAA Regionals. Gallimore, a native of Kingston, Jamaica, was successful as a student-athlete, winning a 2001 NCAA Championship in the triple jump. The All-American also was a two-time SEC champion in the triple jump for Auburn. After her 2004 graduation, Gallimore spent time as a volunteer coach at her alma mater. Gallimore also has years of international experience under her belt. She placed seventh in the triple jump at the 2000 World Juniors as part of the Jamaican National team. Gallimore earned her bachelor’s degree in marketing from Auburn and her master’s degree in physical education from West Virginia in 2008.
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• Aided three NCAA Regional qualifiers in the high jump RUNNING EXPERIENCE AUBURN UNIVERSITY, 2000-04 • 2001 NCAA Champion in the triple jump • Two-time SEC champion in the triple jump • Seventh in the triple jump at the 2000 World Juniors as part of the Jamaican National team EDUCATION Auburn University, 2000-04 • Bachelor’s degree (marketing) WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY, 2006-08 • Master’s degree (physical education)
[ 2011-12 TRACK & FIELD ] 25
Support Staff
[ the team behind the team]
Dr. Martin Pushkin
Sean Hopkins
Mike Tornifolio
Volunteer Assistant Sprints/Hurdles
Volunteer Assistant Distance
Volunteer Assistant Pole Vault
Ilora Cipolat
Bryan Fitzpatrick
Pat DeChilla
Bubba Schmidt
Interim Assistant Coach
Coordinator, Strength and Conditioning
Graduate Assistant Athletic Trainer
Equipment Manager
Dr. Paul Downey
Dr. Matt Lively
Cindy Smith
Daniel Whitehead
Director, Student-Athlete Academic Services
Medical Director
Program Assistant
Sports Communications Graduate Assistant
26 [ WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY ]
coaches athletes preview review records wvu media
[ 2011-12 TRACK & FIELD ] 27
2012 Roster [ alphabetical • state • class • event ] Name Position Height Class Heather Adams Throws 5-10 Jr. Stephanie Aldea Distance 5-8 Jr. Jenna Barreto Sprints 5-4 So. Kyllie Bebout Sprints 5-2 Sr. Sarah-Anne Brault Distance 5-6 r-Jr. Rachel Buser Distance 5-5 r-Jr. Chelsea Carrier-Eades Multi/Hurdles 5-6 Sr. Stephanie Caruso Distance 5-1 r-Sr. Kaylyn Christopher Distance 5-6 r-Sr. Shakiyla Cosby Sprints 5-11 So. Josie Crouch Distance 5-9 r-Fr. Sydney Cummings High Jump 5-8 Jr. Shannen Daly Mid-Distance 5-8 Fr. Kiley Defibaugh Pole Vault 5-7 Fr. Arielle Gaither Hurdles 5-3 r-So. Katie Gillespie Distance 5-2 So. Jordan Hamric Distance 5-4 Jr. Gabrielle Harrington Pole Vault 5-4 So. Kate Harrison Distance 5-6 r-Fr. Chelsea Jarvis Distance 5-2 r-So. Alison Kimble Distance 5-0 r-Fr. Alex Klauke Mid-Distance 5-2 r-So. Karissa Knabenshue Throws 5-7 Fr. Lindsay Kopenhaver Pole Vault 5-4 Jr. Ahna Lewis Distance 5-6 r-Sr. Carrie Long Pole Vault 5-11 Sr. Sarah Martinelli Distance 5-2 r-So. Lydia Martinelli Distance 4-11 r-Fr. Sarah McCauley Distance 5-4 Fr. Amber McCloskey Multi-Event 5-10 Jr. Kristen McWhorter Sprints 5-5 So. Terina Miller Throws 5-7 Sr. Meghan Mock Long Jump 5-3 Sr. Aubrey Moskal Distance 5-4 r-Jr. Lauren Moskal Multi-Event 5-4 r-Jr. Kimberly Mulvin Pole Vault 5-4 So. Stormy Nesbit Jumps 6-0 So. Jessica O’Connell Mid-Distance 5-3 Sr. Allison Pettit Distance 5-6 r-So. Hallie Portner Distance 5-1 r-Jr. Alanna Pritts Throws 5-5 r-Jr. Letitia Propst Distance 5-4 Fr. Katlyn Shelar Pole Vault 5-5 So. Brittney Thomas Throws 5-6 Jr. Chene Townsend Hurdles 5-9 r-So. Allison Tyree Sprints 5-10 So. Katelyn Williams Multi/Jumps 5-7 r-Sr. Kelly Williams Distance 5-9 Fr. Brittany Wolford Sprints 5-7 Sr. Head Coach: Sean Cleary Assistant Coach: Shelly-Anne Gallimore Volunteer Coaches: Mike Tornifolio, Sean Hopkins, Dr. Martin Puskin
28 [ WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY ]
Hometown Reedsville, Pa. Windsor, Ontario Bohemia, N.Y. Morgantown, W.Va. Winnipeg, Manitoba Berkeley Springs, W.Va. Buckhannon, W.Va. Wheeling, W.Va. Kingwood, W.Va. Oak Hill, W.Va. Hurricane, W.Va. Charleston, W.Va. Dale City, Va. Moundsville, W.Va. Baltimore, Md. Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio Bruceton Mills, W.Va. Erie, Pa. Toronto, Ontario Clendenin, W.Va. Morgantown, W.Va. Morgantown, W.Va. Buckhannon, W.Va. Hanover, Pa. Morgantown, W.Va. Franklin, N.C. Morgantown, W.Va. Morgantown, W.Va. Belington, W.Va. Wheeling, W.Va. Horner, W.Va. Short Creek, W.Va. Berkeley Springs, W.Va. Morgantown, W.Va. Morgantown, W.Va Erie, Pa. Roseville, Minn. Calgary, Alberta Morgantown, W.Va. Morgantown, W.Va. Weirton, W.Va. Elkins, W.Va. Novi, Mich. Oak Hill, W.Va. Kingston, Jamaica Chesterland, Ohio Chesterland, Ohio Chesterland, Ohio Capon Bridge, W.Va.
By State/Country West Virginia Canada Pennsylvania Maryland Ohio New York Jamaica Michigan Minnesota North Carolina Virginia
30 4 4 1 4 1 1 1 1 1 1
By Class Seniors Juniors Sophomores Freshmen
10 13 15 10
By Event Distance Mid-Distance Sprints Throws Multi-Event Pole Vault High Jump Hurdles
20 4 5 5 6 6 2 1
Brittany Wolford
Heather Adams
Stephanie Aldea
[ 5-10 • junior • throws • reedsville, pa. ]
[ 5-8 • junior • distance • windsor, ontario ]
At West Virginia in 2011: • Came in 14th place in the discus throw at the BIG EAST Championships with a distance of 40.47 meters • Finished 22nd in the hammer throw (43.96m) at the Ashland Alumni Invitational and 16th in the discus at the Jesse Owens Classic (45.46m) • Competed in the discus and hammer throw at the Kent Taylor Invite, finishing sixth at discus and ninth at hammer throw • Also competed at the Bennie Benson Invitational, Colonial Relays and Bill Van Horne Invitational • For indoor season, came in third in the weight throw with a personal-best mark of 15.27 meters • Finished second in the weight throw at the State Farm Games, while arriving in sixth place at the weight throw at the WVU Holiday Classic At West Virginia in 2010: • Finished fifth in the weight throw at the WVU State Farm Games • Placed 15th in the weight throw at the PSU Northeast Challenge (11.17 meters) • Took 11th in the shot put (10.37 meters) and 15th in the weight throw (9.39 meters) at the WVU Holiday Classic • Finished fifth (39.93 meters) in the hammer throw at the Wheeling Jesuit Bill Van Horne Invitational • Placed fifth (37.13 meters) in the discus at the James Madison Invitational • Finished sixth in the hammer throw (39.78 meters) Prep: • Two-time district six champion and four-time Mountain League all-star from Indian Valley High • Medaled eighth in the PIAA State Track meet • Competed at National AAU track meet • Ran at regionals for the USA Track Junior Olympics • Two-time Mountain League All-Star in volleyball and captain for two seasons Personal: • Daughter of Scott Adams and Penny Sesinger • Has one brother • Birthday is Dec. 13 • Garrett Ford Academic Honor Roll • BIG EAST Academic All-Star • Majoring in pharmacy
At West Virginia in 2011: coaches • Came in first place in the 3,000 athletes meters at the Kent Taylor-Joe Hilton preview Invitational in 10:04.52 • Finished 27th in the 1,500-meter review race in 4:48.30 at the Jesse Owens records Classic wvu • Competed in the 800-meter run media and 1,500-meter run at the Stanford Invitational • Member of 4x800 relay foursome that placed seventh at BIG EAST in 9:08.36 • For indoor season, finished first in the 500-meter dash in 1:18.30 running unattached at the WVU State Farm Games • Also ran unattached at the GaREAT Invitational, competing unattached in the 400-meter dash and 1,000-meter run Prep: • Ran for Scott Moncur at St. Anne High • OFSAA medalist during senior season in the 1,500-meter and 3,000-meter • WECSSAA 3,000-meter record holder, breaking a 26-year record Personal: • Daughter of Terry and Jasna Aldea • Has one sister • Birthday is Feb. 1 • Majoring in economics • Named to the Garrett Ford Academic Honor Roll
Jenna Barreto [ 5-4 • sophomore • sprints • bohemia, n.y. ] At West Virginia in 2011: • Came in sixth place in the 200-meter dash at the Kent Taylor-Joe Hilton Invitational in 26.24 • Finished eighth in the 400-meter dash at the GaREAT Invitational, crossing in 59.11 seconds • Arrived in 13th place in the 400-meter dash at the Jesse Owens Classic in season-best 57.62 seconds • Member of 4x400 relay team that placed third at BIG EAST in 3:41.68 • Member of 4x400 relay that placed fourth at the WVU State Farm Games in 4:13.23 • For indoor season, came in ninth in preliminaries of the 200-meter dash at the
GaREAT Invitational • Finished ninth in the 400-meter in 1:01.62 at the WVU State Farm Games Prep: • Ran for coaches Rob Lehnert and Jim Crowley at Connetquot High • All-County in the 300-meter and 200-meter Personal: • Daughter of Sam and Renee Barreto • Has one sister • Birthday is June 24 • BIG EAST Academic All-Star • Majoring in exercise physiology
Heather Adams
[ 2011-12 TRACK & FIELD ] 29
Kyllie Bebout
Sara-Anne Brault
[ 5-2 • senior • sprints • morgantown, w.va. ]
[ 5-6 • r-junior • distance • winnipeg, manitoba ]
At West Virginia in 2011: • Came in first place in the 200-meter dash in 26.66 at the Colonial Relays • Also placed seventh in the 100-meter dash in 13.64 at the Colonial Relays • For indoor, placed fourth at the 60-meter dash in 8.37 at the Blue/Gold Meet • Came in seventh in the 200-meter dash in 28.45 at the Colonial Relays • Finished fifth in preliminaries in the 200-meter dash in 28.42 at the GaREAT Invitational • Arrived in seventh place in the 200-meter dash in 27.64 at the WVU Holiday Classic
At West Virginia in 2010: • Finished in sixth place in the 60-meter dash and seventh in the 200-meter dash at the WVU State Farm Games • Competed in the 60-meter dash at the PSU Northeast Challenge • Finished 10th in the 200-meter dash (26.20) at the WVU Holiday Classic • Placed sixth in the 200-meter dash and 10th in the 400-meter dash at the James Madison Invitational • Finished fifth in the 400-meter dash at the Father Bede Hines Invite At West Virginia in 2009: • Part of the 4x100 team that finished 33rd (47.39) at the Penn Relays • Finished 39th in the 100-meter dash at the Sea Ray Relays • Placed third (12.88) in the 100-meter dash at the Bill Van Horne Invitational Prep: • Attended University High • Owns the school record in the 100-meter dash with a time of 12.59 • Played soccer, basketball and softball • Named second-team all-state in soccer two consecutive seasons • Named second-team all-state in softball Personal: • Daughter of Jim and Ginny Bebout • Majoring in human nutrition and foods • BIG EAST Academic All-Star • Birthday is Sept. 25
At West Virginia in 2011: • Named second-team Academic All-American by CoSIDA • Earned Capital One Academic All-District first team honors • Achieved second team All-America honors in the 10,000-meter race following 10th-place finish at the NCAA Outdoor Championships in 35:05.36 • Came in sixth place in the 10,000 meters at the NCAA East Regional in 33:51.14 • Earned second place at the BIG EAST Championships in the 10,000-meter race in 34:04.63 • Came in 10th place in the 1,500-meter race at the Jesse Owens Classic in 4:34.07 • For indoor season, came in fourth place in the 5,000-meter run at the BIG EAST Championships • Achieved third place in the 3,000-meter run at the GaREAT Invitational in 9:42.74 • Finished second in the 5,000-meter run in 17:19.34 at the WVU State Farm Games At West Virginia in 2010: • BIG EAST indoor qualifier in the 5,000-meter race • Finished in sixth place at the conference indoor championships with a time of 16:45.25 • Finished third in the 5,000 meter at the outdoor championships (16:48.99) • Posted a personal-best time in the 5,000-meter race at the Stanford Invitational after finishing 11th (16:27.66) • Took second place in the 3,000-meter run (9:54.65) at the James Madison Invitational At West Virginia in 2009: • Ended her first season with a 17th-place finish (16:49.42) in the 5,000-meter race at the NCAA Regionals • Ran well at ECACs in the outdoor season, finishing fourth in the 5,000-meter run with a time of 16:42.56 • Posted a regional qualifying time of 16:44.74 with an eighth-place finish in the 5,000-meter run at the BIG EAST Outdoor Championships Prep: • Ran for coach Alphonse Bernard at Collège Louis-Riel • Voted Manitoba distance female athlete of the year in 2006 and 2007 • Owns 5,000-meter junior female provincial record • Silver medal winner in 3,000-meter race at Canadian junior nationals in 2006 and 2007 • Represented Manitoba at cross country junior nationals in 2005 and 2006 • Manitoba half marathon winner in 2008 • Provincial champion in 1,500-meter and 3,000-meter run • Member of Manitoba High School Athletic Association • Four-time cross country provincial champion (2004-07) • MHSAA 1,500-meter and 3,000-meter junior varsity champion in 2005, 2006 • Varsity champion in 1,500-meter in 2007 • Member of 2007 4x400 MHSAA champion relay • Member of junior national triathlon team from 2006-08
Sarah-Anne Brault
30 [ WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY ]
Personal: • Daughter of David Brault and Sylvie De Serres • One of three children • Birthday is Dec. 1 • Majoring in economics • BIG EAST Academic All-Star • Garrett Ford Academic Honor Roll
Rachel Buser
Stephanie Caruso
[ 5-5 • r-junior • distance • berkeley springs, w.va. ] [ 5-1 • r-senior • distance • wheeling, w.va. ] At West Virginia in 2011: • Saw limited action during the season, earning valuable training and preparation At West Virginia in 2010: • Took a redshirt Prep: • All-American at Berkeley Springs High • Placed third at the USATF Junior Olympic Championship to earn the honors • A four-time A/AA state champion • Nominated for the McCoy Award • An AAU Cross Country Girls Youth national champion • Three-time champion and owns state class records in the 1,600-meter and 3,200-meter races • Owns state record in the 4x800 • Also played basketball Personal: • Daughter of Steve and Betsy Buser • Has one brother • Birthday is May 27 • Majoring in child development and family studies
At West Virginia in 2011: • Came in 26th place in the 1,500-meter run at the Jesse Owens Classic in 4:56.09 • Finished 62nd in the 1,500-meter run at the Colonial Relays in 4:52.09 • Competed in the 1,500-meter run at the Kent Taylor-Joe Hilton Invitational • Achieved 12th place in the 3,000-meter run at the GaREAT Invitational in 10:15.35 • Came in 14th place in the mile in 5:08 at the Penn State National • Finished fourth in the mile at the WVU State Farm Games in 5:18.93 • Member of second-place 4x800 relay team at the Penn State Relays
coaches athletes preview review records wvu media
At West Virginia in 2010: • BIG EAST qualifier in the mile • Finished 18th at the conference indoor championships with a time of 5:03.78 • Posted a BIG EAST qualifying time of 5:01.91 in the mile at the Sykes-Sabock Challenge Cup • Placed fifth in the 3,000-meter race (10:03.25) at the Penn State National Invitational • Came in fifth in the mile at the WVU State Farm Games • Competed and finished 18th in the 1,000-meter run at the PSU Northeast Challenge • Posted a personal-best time in the 5,000 meter, crossing the line in 11th place at the Stanford Invitational • Finished 26th in the 1,500-meter run at the Sea Ray Relays (4:45.13) • Took fifth (4:47.09) in the 1,500-meter run at the James Madison Invitational At West Virginia in 2009: • Finished 10th (5:01.11) in the 1,500-meter run at the Penn State Open • Placed eighth (18:01.9) in the section ‘B’ 5,000-meter race at the Duke/Asics Invitational • Finished sixth (10:15.83) in the 3,000-meter run at the Sea Ray Relays At West Virginia in 2008: • Placed sixth in the 3,000-meter run at the indoor Penn State Relays • Finished in fourth at the State Farm Games in the mile with a time of 5:18.74 • Set a personal-best in the 3,000-meters with a time of 10:13.88, good for 10th place at the Virginia Tech Team Challenge • Redshirted the outdoor season Prep: • State champion in the 3,200-meter run her sophomore, junior and senior years at Wheeling Central Catholic High • State champion in the 1,600-meter run in 2007 • Member of the winning 2004 OVAC cross country team Personal: • Daughter of Michael and Cheryl Caruso • Has one sister and one brother • Birthday is April 24 • Majoring in exercise physiology • Garrett Ford Academic Honor Roll • BIG EAST Academic All-Star
Stephanie Caruso
[ 2011-12 TRACK & FIELD ] 31
Chelsea Carrier-Eades [ 5-6 • senior • multi/hurdles • buckhannon, w.va. ] At West Virginia in 2011: • Broke school records in the 60-meter hurdles, 100-meter hurdles, pentathlon, and heptathlon • Named BIG EAST Athlete of the Week three times during the season • Made it to semifinals round of the 100-meter hurdles at the USA Track and Field Championships • Named first team All-America in the heptathlon with a third-place finish at the NCAA Championships with 5,761 points, coming in first place in the 100-meter hurdles and 200-meter dash • Named third team All-America in the 100-meter hurdles with a 19th-place finish in 13.56 at the NCAA Championships • Named Mid-Atlantic Women’s Field Athlete of the Year following third-place mark in the 100-meter hurdles (13.08 seconds) and 38th place in the long jump at 5.66 meters • Named BIG EAST Track Athlete of the Meet and Most Outstanding Track Performer at the BIG EAST Championships following first-place finishes in the long jump (6.42 meters, second-best on WVU all-time list), 100-meter hurdles (13.07 seconds) and 400-meter hurdles (57.48 seconds) • Broke school record in 100-meter hurdles with 12.97-seconds mark at the Jesse Owens Classic, overcoming her own record of 13.04 seconds • Earned second-best collegiate score of season in the heptathlon at the Texas Relays, earning 5,927 points after breaking two school and five personal records • Came in first place in four of the seven events of the heptathlon at Texas Relays, breaking two records set by former WVU great Pat Itanyi in both heptathlon score (1997: 5,684 points) and 100-meter hurdles (1996: 13.20 seconds) • During indoor season, earned two All-America honors in the 60-meter hurdles and pentathlon at the NCAA Indoor Championships • For 60-meter hurdles All-America, came in fourth place with a time of 8.08 seconds • Earned All-America in the pentathlon after coming in fifth place with 4,128 points • At BIG EAST, came in first in the pentathlon with 4,170 points and the 60-meter hurdles (8.15 seconds), becoming first back-to-back champion for the event since Villanova’s Charmaine Walker in 2000-01 At West Virginia in 2010: • Named the Mid-Atlantic Field Athlete of the Year • Earned first All-America honor with a fourth-place finish in the pentathlon (4,133 points) • Finished first in the 60-meter hurdles (8.29), fifth in the 800-meter run (2:19.49), tied for fifth in the high jump (1.71 meters) and placed 16th in the shot put (10.40 meters) to post the second-best performance of her career and put her second on WVU’s all-time performance list for the event • Named All-American after placing sixth in the 60-meter hurdles • BIG EAST Indoor champion in the pentathlon (3,994 points) • Finished first in the 60-meter hurdles (8.48), tied for third in the high jump (1.68 meters), finished ninth in the shot put (10.61 meters), first in the long jump (5.92-meters) and fourth in the 800-meter run (2:25.61) • BIG EAST champion in the 60-meter hurdles (8.31) • Competed in the long jump and finished in seventh place (5.83 meters) • Broke a school and meet record and posted an NCAA automatic qualifying standard in the pentathlon • Won the event with 4,136 points to break the school record previously set by Pat Itanyi in 1997 (4,111) • Finished first in the 60-meter hurdles (8.45), the high jump (1.71 meters), the long jump (5.92 meters), the shot put (10.99 meters) and the 800-meter run (2:20.09) • Aided the 4x400-meter relay team to a first-place finish at the WVU State Farm Games (4:00.6) • Finished first in the long jump (5.77 meters) • Finished second in the 60-meter hurdles at the PSU Northeast Challenge (8.51) • Helped the 4x400-meter relay team to a 10th-place finish (3:53.01)
32 [ WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY ]
At West Virginia in 2009: • Finished 15th in the semifinals of the 100-meter hurdles at the NCAA Outdoor Championships with a time of 13.55 • Placed fifth in the 100-meter hurdles at the NCAA Regionals to qualify for nationals • Posted an NCAA Regional qualifying time of 13.30 in a first-place finish in the 100-meter hurdles at the ECAC Outdoor Championships • Co-champion (13.59) in the 100-meter hurdles at the BIG EAST Outdoor Championships • Part of 4X100 relay team that finished 33rd and the 4X400 team that finished 35th at the Penn Relays • Placed 13th in the 100-meter hurdles (13.70) • Finished second in the 100-meter hurdles (13:35) at the Sea Ray Relays • Posted a 15th-place finish in the pentathlon and a 14th-place finish in the 60-meter hurdles • Saw a career-best performance in the long jump at the Alex Wilson Invitational with a third-place leap of 5.82-meters • Posted an NCAA indoor provisional time in the 60-meter hurdles with a second place showing and time of 8.27 • On the 4x400 team that finished fourth (9:45.62) at the Sykes-Sabock Challenge Cup, meeting BIG EAST and ECAC qualifying times • Took first place in the pentathlon with 3,967 points at the same meet • Finished in first in the 60-meter hurdles at the State Farm Games with an ECAC qualifying time of 8.56 • Ran an ECAC and BIG EAST qualifying time in the 60-meter hurdles with a time of 8.62 at the WVU Invitational • Started season off posting two BIG EAST qualifying times in the 60-meter dash (7.82) and 60-meter hurdles (8.67) at the WVU Holiday Classic At West Virginia in 2008: • Won her first career BIG EAST title in the 100-meter hurdles at the 2008 BIG EAST Outdoor Track & Field Championships • Won the 60-meter hurdles with a time of 8.46 seconds at the 2008 ECAC Indoor Championships in Boston, fourth-best in school history • Placed third at 8.37 in 60-meter hurdles at the BIG EAST Indoor Championships • Recorded an 8.66 in the 60-meter hurdles, which ranked third-best among BIG EAST competitors at the Penn State Relays • Competing in her first collegiate meet, won two events with BIG EAST and ECAC qualifying performances • Took the long jump with a leap of 5.71 meters and cruised to victory in the 60-meter hurdle prelims and finals Prep: • Outstanding career, setting nine school records at Buckhannon Upshur High • Owns one state record and three state meet records • Won high point honors at the state meet all four years • Finished in first place 11 different times at state championships • Took second at USATF heptathlon in 2007 Personal: • Daughter of Rick and Andrea Carrier • Father played football and ran track at West Virginia Wesleyan, where he owns the 200-meter record (21.7) • Has a brother who plays football and runs track at WVWC • Birthday is Aug. 21 • Majoring in child development and family studies • Garrett Ford Academic Honor Roll • BIG EAST Academic All-Star
Kaylyn Christopher [ 5-6 • r-senior • distance • kingwood, w.va. ] At West Virginia in 2011: • Competed at the NCAA East Regional in the 1,500-meter run with a time of 4:36.04 • Came in eighth place at BIG EAST in the 5,000-meter run in 16:43.65 • Achieved eighth place at the Colonial Relays in the 800-meter run in 2:10.88 • Competed at the Stanford Invitational in the 1,500-meter and 800-meter races • Finished in fourth at the Kent Taylor-Joe Hilton Invitational in the 800-meter with a time of 2:13.50 • Member of 4x800 relay at BIG EAST, helping group to seventh place in 9:08.36 • Earned second-best mark in school history in the 1,000-meter race at the Penn State Relays by finishing in 2:45 • Came in fifth place at BIG EAST in the 3,000-meter run with a time of 9:27.16 • Finished in first in the 3,000-meter race at the WVU State Farm Games • Competed at the GaREAT Invitational and Columbia Last Chance in the mile At West Virginia in 2010: • Earned two All-America honors at the 2010 NCAA Indoor Championships, one in the mile (4:46.76) and one as a member of the 8th-place DMR team (11:16.39) • Posted a personal-best time of 4:25.7 in the 1,500-meter race to qualify for regionals at the Swarthmore Last Chance meet • Helped 4x800 relay team to post a school record and fourth-place finish at the BIG EAST Outdoor Championships after crossing the line with a time of 8:47.9 • Finished third at the BIG EAST Indoor Championships as a member of the DMR team • Finished third as a part of the 4x800 relay team • Posted NCAA provisional time in the 3,000-meter race at the Sykes-Sabock Challenge Cup after finishing in second (9:30.95) • Finished sixth in the 800-meter invitational race at the Penn State National Invitational with a time of 2:10.07 • Finished first in the 800-meter run at the WVU State Farm Games • Helped the WVU DMR team to a second-place finish at the PSU Northeast Challenge (12:08.82) • Posted a BIG EAST qualifying time at the Sun Angel Classic with a 16th-place finished in the 1,500-meter race (4:27.39) • Took first place in the 3,000-meter run (9:51.85) at the James Madison Invitational At West Virginia in 2009: • Competed on the DMR team that finished 10th at the NCAA Indoor Championships • Member of the same DMR team (Christopher, Karly Hamric, Marie-Louise Asselin and Keri Bland) that broke school record at the Alex Wilson Invitational with a time of 11:05.12 • Posted a personal-best time of 3:47.51 in the 1,000-meter run at the BIG EAST Indoor Championships • Took 10th in the mile (4:48.14) at the Alex Wilson Invitational • Placed third (3:48.99) in the 1,000-meter race at the Penn State National Invitational • Finished first in the 1,000-meter run (2:52.82) at the Penn State Open • Redshirted the outdoor season At West Virginia in 2008: • Finished 27th overall in the 1,500-meter run with a time of 4:33.31 at the NCAA Outdoor Regionals • Part of the DMR team with Marie-Louise Asselin, Karly Hamric and Keri Bland that set a then-outdoor school record with a time of 11:19.81 at Penn Relays • Ran the 1,500-meter in 4:27.38 to move into the top 10 BIG EAST times on April 19 at the WVU Invitational, an NCAA regional qualifying mark • Ran 2:13.32 in the 800-meter run at the WVU Invitational • Turned in a top performance in the 1,500-meter run to place third with a time of 4:34.88 at the Raleigh Relays
Prep: • McCoy Award Winner senior year at Preston High as state’s top track and field performer • Awarded Gatorade Track Athlete of the Year as a junior • Member of state champion track squad as a sophomore and senior • State champion and record holder in the 1,600-meter run as a sophomore, junior and senior • Won state championship and set record in 3,200-meter as a junior • Named all-state and finished third in the 4x400 relay as a junior • State champ and record holder in the 800-meter run as a junior and senior • Cross country state runner-up as a junior and senior • Earned fifth place and named all-state cross country as a sophomore • Took third place and earned all-state honors in the 800-meter run as a freshman and sophomore • Member of record setting, state champion 4x800 relay team as a freshman, sophomore and senior
coaches athletes preview review records wvu media
Personal: • Daughter of William and Janet Christopher • One of five children • Birthday is April 10 • Working on a master’s degree in secondary education • Earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism • CoSIDA/ESPN The Magazine Academic All-American • Garrett Ford Academic Honor Roll • BIG EAST Academic All-Star
Shakiyla Cosby [ 5-11 • sophomore • sprints • oak hill, w.va. ] At West Virginia in 2011: • Competed for the indoor season in the 200- and 400-meter dash and also as member of 4x400 relay team • Came in first place at the WVU Holiday Classic in the 400-meter dash in 59.66 • Finished second in the 200-meter dash at the Blue-Gold Meet in 26.59 seconds • Achieved third place in the 400-meter dash at the WVU State Farm Games in 38.82 seconds • Also competed at the GaREAT Invitational and Penn State Relays in the 400-meter dash • Member of 4x400 relay team, helping foursome to four first-place finishes during the indoor season • Assisted DMR to first place at the WVU Holiday Classic, WVU State Farm Games, Blue-Gold meet and the Doug Raymond Invitational Prep: • Coached by George Smith and Jason Blankenship at Oak Hill High • Won 400-meter dash at state two years in a row • Won 200-meter dash one year • Earned first place in 400-meter dash and set record at Gazette Relays Personal: • Daughter of Ron Thomas and Tina Cosby • Has seven brothers and three sisters • Birthday is Mar. 26 • Enrolled in general studies
[ 2011-12 TRACK & FIELD ] 33
Josie Crouch [ 5-9 • r-freshman • distance • hurricane, w.va. ] At West Virginia in 2011: • Competed unattached during the indoor season • Finished fifth (unattached) in the 1,000-meter run at the GaREAT Invitational in 2:56.92 • Came in third place (unattached) in the 500-meter dash at the WVU State Farm Games in 1:20.61 • Also competed in the 5,000-meter run at the State Farm Games Prep: • Ran for coach Bill Posey at Hurricane High • Three-time state champion soccer player for
the Rowdies Soccer Club • Member of the National Honor Society and Mu Alpha Theta • Three-year state champion in the 400-meter dash • All-state cross country runner Personal: • Daughter of Joe and Jennifer Crouch • Has one brother and one sister • Birthday is Aug. 1 • Father played baseball at the collegiate level • Majoring in exercise physiology • Named to the Garrett Ford Academic Honor Roll
Sydney Cummings [ 5-8 • junior • high jump • charleston, w.va. ] At West Virginia in 2011: • Qualified for BIG EAST and NCAA East Regional in the high jump • Came in 18th place at the East Regional with a height of 1.75 meters in her first time participating at the regional • Earned fifth place at BIG EAST with a height of 1.75 meters • Finished third at the Colonial Relays at 1.65 meters • Achieved fourth place at the Jesse Owens Classic at 1.70 meters • Qualified for BIG EAST during indoor season, finishing seventh at the BIG EAST Championships at a height of 1.70 meters • Finished third at the GaREAT Invitational at 1.70 meters • Came in first place at both the Doug Raymond Invitational and Penn State Relays, jumping at respective heights of 1.70 meters and 1.67 meters • Finished second at the WVU Holiday Classic at 1.67 meters At West Virginia in 2010: • Finished third as a member of the 4x800 relay team at the BIG EAST Indoor Championships • Finished 11th in the high jump at BIG EAST • Qualified for BIG EAST Championships in the high jump in first collegiate meet • Tied for seventh at BIG EAST in the high jump (1.70 meters) • Finished first at the WVU Holiday Classic (1.71 meters) • Placed fourth in the high jump (1.70 meters) at the Penn State Invitational • Finished fourth in the high jump at the WVU State Farm Games (1.63 meters) • Took seventh place at the PSU Northeast Challenge (1.65-meters) • Tied for fifth (1.70 meters) at the Sykes-Sabock Challenge Cup • Finished seventh (1.65 meters) at the Sea Ray Relays • Finished first in the high jump (1.70 meters) at the James Madison Invitational
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Prep: • Two-time AAU high jump national champion • Competed for coach Larry Jones at Sissonville High • A four-year letterman • Ran for the Capital City Striders track club for five years • Captain of the volleyball team Personal: • Daughter of George and Lisa Cummings • Has one brother • Birthday is Sept. 8 • Majoring in child development and family studies
Arielle Gaither [ 5-3 • r-sophomore • hurdles •baltimore, md. ] At West Virginia in 2011: • Competing unattached, finished fourth in the 500-meter dash at the WVU Holiday Classic in 1:22.82 At West Virginia in 2010: • Finished 20th at the Penn State Invitational in the 500-meter run (1:18.40) • Captured first place at WVU State Farm Games in the 500-meter run (1:20.88) • Placed 20th in the 500-meter run at the PSU Northeast Challenge • Took first place in the 500-meter run (1:21.63) and helped the 4x400-meter relay team to a first-place showing (3:56.40) at the WVU Holiday Classic • Finished third in the 400-meter hurdles at the James Madison Invitational • Aided the 4x400-meter relay team to a fourth-place showing • Placed second (59.94) in the 400-meter dash at the Father Bede Hines Invite Prep: • Three-year captain at Baltimore Polytechnic Institute • Two-time city and regional champion in the 300-meter hurdles • Finished in second-place in the 300-meter hurdles at the 2009 AA Maryland State Championships • Named all-city for the 2008 outdoor season • Ran for the Baltimore City Track and Field Club • Earned a bronze medal at the 2008 AAU Junior Olympics as a member of the 4x800 team and a silver medal in 2009 • Anchored 2009 Nike Outdoor National Champion Emerging Elite 4x400 relay team and helped 4x200 team to a fourth-place finish Personal: • Daughter of George Gaither and Angela Owens • Has one brother and a sister • Birthday is Jan. 16 • Majoring in mechanical engineering • Garrett Ford Academic Honor Roll • BIG EAST Academic All-Star
Kaitlyn Gillespie
Jordan Hamric
[ 5-2 • sophomore • distance • cuyahoga falls, ohio ] [ 5-4 • junior • distance • bruceton mills, w.va. ] At West Virginia in 2011: • Came in 20th place at the NCAA East Regional in the 10,000 meters with a personal-best time of 34:10.60 • Finished fourth in the 10,000-meter race in 34:10.91 at the BIG EAST Championships • Achieved fifth place at the Jesse Owens Classic with a time of 4:31.01 in the 1,500-meter race • At BIG EAST indoor championships, came in fifth place in the 5,000-meter run in 16:15.12 • Arrived in third place in the mile run with a time of 4:46 at the Penn State Relays • Came in fifth place in the 5,000-meter run at
the WVU State Farm Games • Finished first in the 1,000-meter race in 2:54 at the Doug Raymond Invitational • Also a member of 4x800 relay team, helping foursome to seventh place at the BIG EAST Indoor Championships in 9:08.36 At West Virginia in 2010: • Redshirted Prep: • Captain of the cross country team at Cuyahoga Falls Christian Academy • State champion in the 1,600, 3,200 in 2008 • Cross country team also won the 2008 state championship • Dapper Dan Club of Akron honoree Personal: • Daughter of Jim and Diane Gillespie • Has one brother and a sister • Birthday is June 28 • Majoring in exercise physiology
At West Virginia in 2011: coaches • Qualified for BIG EAST in the athletes 5,000-meter race and 3,000-meter preview steeplechase • Came in 12th place in the review 3,000-meter steeplechase in records 10:55.08 at the BIG EAST Championwvu ships media • Finished in first place in the 3,000-meter steeplechase at the Bill Van Horne Invitational in 11:32.26 • Arrived in fourth place in the 3,000-meter steeplechase with a BIG EAST-qualifying 10:56.31 at the Jesse Owens Classic • Competed in the 1,500-meter run at the Kent Taylor-Joe Hilton Invitational (13th, 4:42.56) and the Colonial Relays (38th, 4:44.63) • Came in first place in the mile run with a time of 5:07 at the WVU State Farm Games • Finished third in the mile at the Blue-Gold Meet in 5:19.10 • Achieved second place in the 3,000-meter run in 9:55.71 at the Penn State Relays • Also a member of the mile relay team, helping foursome to first place at the Penn State Relays in 21:11 At West Virginia in 2010: • Saw limited action • Finished 17th in the 3,000-meter run at the PSU Northeast Challenge (10:49.07) At West Virginia in 2009: • Ran unattached at the Bennie Benson Memorial and placed second (4:48.10) in the 1,500-meter run • Ran unattached at the State Farm Games and placed fourth (3:05.87) • Competed unattached at the Bill Van Horne Invitational and finished 11th in the 800 meters (2:28.13) Prep: • Ran cross country and track for coach Paul Martin at Preston High • State champion of the 3,200-meter race as a junior • Second in 3,200-meter race as a senior • Member of record-setting 4x800-meter state champion relay in 2005 and 2007 • Third in the 1,600-meter run and 4x400-meter relay as a sophomore • Third in 1,600-meter race as a junior • Finished ninth at cross country state meet, earning all-state honors Personal: • Daughter of Ron and Michelle Hamric • Younger sister of former WVU All-America distance runner Karly Hamric • Birthday is Oct. 4 • Majoring in exercise physiology • Garrett Ford Academic Honor Roll • BIG EAST Academic All-Star
Jordan Hamric
[ 2011-12 TRACK & FIELD ] 35
Gabrielle Harrington [ 5-4 • sophomore • pole vault • erie, pa. ] At West Virginia in 2011: • Came in second place in the pole vault at the Blue-Gold Meet with a height of 3.05 meters • Finished tenth at the GaREAT Invitational with a height of 3.01 meters • Achieved third place with a season-best 3.10-meter height at the WVU State Farm Games • Came in fifth place at the WVU Holiday Classic at a height of 3.05 meters
At West Virginia in 2009: • Finished 18th (11:15.1) in the 3,000-meter steeplechase at the BIG EAST Outdoor Championships •Finished third in the 3,000-meter steeplechase at the Sea Ray Relays with a time of 10:50.30 • Finished third in the 1,000-meter with a time of 3:00.31 at the State Farm Games • Took second in the 800-meter run (2:21.95) at the Bill Van Horne Invitational At West Virginia in 2008: • Took a redshirt for the indoor and outdoor seasons
Prep: • Coached by Justin Blose at Fort LeBoeuf High • District champion pole vaulter in 2009 • Named first team all-region in 2009 and 2010 • Qualified for the PIAA state competition for three years, placing 7th in 2009 and 5th in 2010 • Holds the school record for pole vault at 11 feet • Honor roll member all four years
Prep: • Ran for coach Bill Stephens while attending Birchmount Park C.I. • Finished eighth in the 3,000-meter run at 2005 Canadian Junior Nationals • Ran to a seventh-place finish in the 3,000-meter run at 2006 Canadian Junior Nationals • Won bronze in the 3,000-meter run at the 2005 OFSAA • Took silver in the 3,000-meter run at the 2006 OFSAA
Personal: • Daughter of Robert and Deborah Harrington • Father wrestled at Liberty University • Has one brother and one sister • Birthday is May 9 • Majoring in exercise physiology • BIG EAST Academic All-Star
Personal: • Daughter of David and Wilhelmina Harrison • Has one brother and one sister • Birthday is June 20 • Majoring in exercise physiology • Garrett Ford Academic Honor Roll member • BIG EAST Academic All-Star
Kate Harrison [ 5-6 • r-senior • distance • toronto, ontario ] At West Virginia in 2011: • Named first team All-America following second-place finish in the 10,000-meter run at the NCAA Outdoor Championships with a time of 34:30.35 • Came in first place at the NCAA East Regional in the 10,000 meter with a personal-best 33:48.64 • Earned her first BIG EAST title in the 10,000-meter run in 33:59.84 at the BIG EAST Championships • Achieved third place in the 1,500-meter run at the Jesse Owens Classic • During indoor season, came in second in the mile run in 5:00.57 at the Blue-Gold Meet • Finished third in the 5,000-meter run at the WVU State Farm Games in 17:19.35 At West Virginia in 2010: • Runner-up in the 5,000-meter at the BIG EAST Championships (16:45.79) • Finished in 13th place at regionals in the 5,000-meter run • Competed in the 1,000-meter race at the Penn State National Invitational and finished in seventh place with a time of 3:00.01 • Finished in 14th in the 1,000-meter run at the PSU Northeast Challenge • Posted a personal-best time in the 5,000-meter race at the Stanford Invitational, finishing fifth (16:24.40) • Took second in the 1,500-meter run (4:33.54) at the James Madison Invitational
Kate Harrison
36 [ WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY ]
Chelsea Jarvis
Alex Klauke
[ 5-2 • r-sophomore • distance • clendenin, w.va. ] [ 5-2 • r-sophomore • mid-distance • morgantown, w.va. ] At West Virginia in 2011: • Competed during indoor season • Finished first in the 800-meter in 2:33.03 at the WVU Holiday Classic • Came in second in the 1,000-meter at the WVU State Farm Games • Achieved third place in the 1,000-meter run in 3:02.08 at the Blue-Gold Meet • Finished seventh in the 1,000-meter at the GaREAT Invitational in 3:01.27 • Member of 4x400 relay, helping foursome to third-place mark at the
At West Virginia in 2011: • Came in 11th place in the 3,000-meter run in 10:48.33 at the Kent Taylor-Joe Hilton Invitational • Finished 15th in the 3,000-meter in 10:39.16 at the Colonial Relays • Achieved 27th place in the 5,000-meter run at the Jesse Owens Classic in 18:41.54 • During indoor season, came in fifth place in the mile at the Blue-Gold Meet • Finished ninth in the mile in 5:36.68 at the WVU State Farm Games At West Virginia in 2010: • Saw limited action • Finished first in the 3,000-meter race at the WVU Holiday Classic in 10:59.80
coaches athletes preview review records wvu media
WVU Holiday Classic in 4:14.77 • Helped 4x400 relay to fourth place at the WVU State Farm Games in 4:13.23 At West Virginia in 2010: • Redshirt season
Prep: • Four-time MVP for coach Cali Wesson at Capital High • Three-time regional champion • Ran for the Wapiti Runners
Prep: • Competed in the 800-meter event in high school • Member of the swim team
Personal: • Daughter of Scott and Terri Jarvis • Has one sister • Majoring in biology • Birthday is Dec. 27 • Garrett Ford Academic Honor Roll • BIG EAST Academic All-Star
Personal: • Daughter of Tim and Jamie Klauke • Has one brother and one sister • Birthday is Aug. 29 • Majoring in sport and exercise psychology • Garrett Ford Academic Honor Roll • BIG EAST Academic All-Star
Alison Kimble [ 5-0 • r-freshman • distance • morgantown, w.va. ] At West Virginia in 2011: • Competed during indoor season • Finished second in the 3,000-meter run in 11:01.68 at the Blue-Gold Meet Prep: • Ran for coach Ed Frohnapfel at University High • Second team all-state in cross country in 2009 • Lettered in cross country for three years and track and field for four years • Member of the 2010 all-state 4x800 relay team • Member of the National Honor Society • Played soccer for two years Personal: • Daughter of Rocky and Anna Kimble • Has two brothers • Birthday is Aug. 3 • Majoring in exercise physiology • Named to the Garrett Ford Academic Honor Roll
Alex Klauke
[ 2011-12 TRACK & FIELD ] 37
Lindsay Kopenhaver
Ahna Lewis
[ 5-4 • junior • pole vault • hanover, pa. ]
[ 5-6 • r-senior • distance • morgantown, w.va. ]
At West Virginia in 2011: • Came in 16th place in the pole vault with a height of 3.50 meters at the BIG EAST Championships • Finished sixth at the Jesse Owens Classic with a height of 3.55 meters • Achieved ninth place with a height of 3.25 meters at the Colonial Relays • For indoor season, came in 16th place in the pole vault at the BIG EAST Championships at a height of 3.40 meters • Came in eighth place at 3.36 meters at the GaREAT Invitational • Finished third at the Penn State National at
a height of 3.45 meters • Achieved second place at 3.25 meters at the WVU State Farm Games • Came in second place at the WVU Holiday Classic at a height of 3.35 meters
At West Virginia in 2010: • Finished 17th in the pole vault at the PSU Northeast Challenge • Tied for seventh at the WVU Holiday Classic • Placed fifth in the pole vault after clearing 2.90 meters at the Wheeling Jesuit Bill Van Horne Invitational • Finished fifth at the James Madison Invitational (3.35 meters) At West Virginia in 2009: • Saw limited action • Finished in third place (3.20 meters) at the Bill Van Horne Invitational Prep: • Attended Hanover Senior High • Four-time varsity letter winner in track • Two-time team captain • Four-time district qualifier in 100-meter hurdles • Three-time district qualifier and medalist in pole vault • Two-time state-qualifier in pole vault • Took fourth place at state meet • Took seventh place at indoor state meet • Named most valuable track and field athlete senior year • Three-time varsity letterwinner in gymnastics • Two-time varsity letterwinner in volleyball Personal: • Daughter of Michael and LouAnn Kopenhaver • Birthday is Oct. 2 • Majoring in advertising
At West Virginia in 2011: • Competed during outdoor season • Finished 26th in the 10,000-meter run at the NCAA East Regional with a personal-best time of 34:29.71 • Came in eighth place in the 10,000-meter at the BIG EAST Championships in 34:50.90 At West Virginia in 2010: • Finished 26th (16:53.32) in the 5,000-meter run at regionals • Qualified for the 5,000-meter race at the BIG EAST Indoor Championships • Finished with a time of 17:28.40 • Posted a personal-best time in the 5,000-meter race at the Stanford Invitational, placing 14th (16:29.94) • Took third in the 3,000-meter run at the James Madison Invitational with a time of 10:10.28 At West Virginia in 2009: • Finished 16th (16:45.52) in the 5,000-meter run at the NCAA Regionals • Placed fifth (16:45.21) behind teammate Sarah-Anne Brault in the 5,000-meter run at the ECAC Outdoor Championships • Placed fifth in the 5,000-meter run at the BIG EAST Outdoor Championships with a regional qualifying time of 16:37.23 • Competed in the 5K for the first time at the Stanford Invitational • Qualified for the BIG EAST Championships, ECAC Championships and NCAA Regional Championships with a time of 16:33.79, finishing seventh in her heat At West Virginia in 2008: • Earned qualifying times in the 3,000 meters for BIG EAST Championships and ECACs • Ran a personal best at 9:58.01 at the BIG EAST Indoor Championships • Redshirted the outdoor season • Crossed the line in 20:20.38 to set an indoor school record as part of the 4x100 mile relay team that took first place at the Penn State Relays Prep: • Member of the 2004, 2005 and 2006 state champion Morgantown High cross country team • 2003 individual state runner-up in cross country • Track team also finished second • Co-captain of cross country and track teams • Co-MVP of cross country team • 2004 state champion in the 1,600-meter run • Class valedictorian out of 377 students • Awarded the John Rockis Award that acknowledges the Morgantown High athlete with the highest cumulative GPA • Awarded the Army Reserve National Scholar Athlete Award Personal: • Daughter of Charles and Virginia Lewis • Has one sister • Birthday is Oct. 5 • Earned a bachelor’s degree in secondary education • Studying for a master’s degree in English • Garrett Ford Academic Honor Roll • BIG EAST Academic All-Star
38 [ WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY ]
Sarah Martinelli
Kristen McWhorter
[ 5-2 • r-sophomore • distance • morgantown, w.va. ] [ 5-5 • sophomore • sprints • horner, w.va. ] At West Virginia in 2011: • Came in 21st place in the 5,000-meter run in 18:07.21 at the Jesse Owens Classic • Competed in the 1,500-meter run at the Stanford Invitational • During indoor season, finished 10th place in the mile at the BIG EAST Championships in 5:03.31 • Came in second place in the 1,000-meter run in 2:59.84 at the Blue-Gold Meet • Achieved ninth place in the 3,000-meter run at the GaREAT Invitational in 10:01.63 • Finished second in the mile in 5:07.84 at the WVU State Farm Games At West Virginia in 2010: • Took a redshirt Prep: • Cross country captain for coach Ed Frohnapel at University High in 2008 • Helped team to two straight state titles • Placed 10th individually at the state championship in 2008 • Named first team all-conference in 2007-08 Personal: • Daughter of David and Paula Martinelli • Has one brother and two sisters • Birthday is Sept. 25 • Majoring in exercise physiology • Garrett Ford Academic Honor Roll • BIG EAST Academic All-Star
At West Virginia in 2011: • Ran unattached during the indoor season • Came in third place in the 400-meter dash in 1:05.04 at the Blue-Gold Meet • Finished 18th in the 200-meter dash and 16th in the 400-meter dash at the WVU State Farm Games • Came in 15th place in the 200-meter dash and 12th place in the 400-meter dash at the WVU Holiday Classic
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Prep: • Coached by Eddie Vincent and Mike Smith at Lewis County High • 2010 Big Ten Conference champion in the 300-meter hurdles • Finished 38th at the 2010 AAU Track and Field National Meet • Came in fourth place in the 300-meter hurdles at the 2009 state meet • Achieved fourth place in the long jump at the 2009 state meet • Finished seventh in the 100-meter hurdles at the 2009 state meet • Won the WVSSAC Sportsmanship Award in 2010 • WV Promise Scholar Personal: • Daughter of Mike and Michaela McWhorter • Has one sister • Birthday is Jan. 22 • Majoring in exercise physiology • BIG EAST Academic All-Star
Lydia Martinelli [ 4-11 • r-freshman • distance • morgantown, w.va. ] At West Virginia in 2011: • Redshirt season Prep: • An all-state runner for three consecutive years at University High • Ran for coach Dan Demchalz Personal: • Daughter of David and Paula Martinelli • Has one brother and two sisters • Sister, Sarah, also competes for the team • Birthday is June 11 • Majoring in secondary education • Named to the Garrett Ford Academic Honor Roll
Sarah and Lydia Martinelli
[ 2011-12 TRACK & FIELD ] 39
Terina Miller
Meghan Mock
[ 5-7 • senior • throws • short creek, w.va. ]
[ 5-3 • senior • long jump • berkeley springs, w.va. ]
At West Virginia in 2011: • Came in 10th place in the hammer throw at the BIG EAST Championships with a distance of 49.93 meters • Achieved a personal-best 52.50 meters in the hammer throw at the Ashland Alumni Invitational • Finished sixth in the hammer throw (49.69m) and second in the shot put (11.80m) at the Kent Taylor-Joe Hilton Invitational • Came in first place in the hammer throw at the Bennie Benson Invitational with a distance of 50.60 meters • Achieved fourth place in the hammer throw with a distance of 48.14 meters at the Colonial Relays • Placed first in the hammer throw at the Bill Van Horne Invitational at 50.61 meters • During indoor season, came in first place in the weight throw at the Blue-Gold Meet at 14.79 meters • Earned fourth place in the weight throw at 13.79 meters at the GaREAT Invitational • Placed first in the weight throw (15.31m) and fifth in the shot put (11.32m) at the WVU State Farm Games • Came in fourth place in the weight throw at the Penn State Relays at 15.26 meters • Began season with third-place mark in the weight throw at the WVU Holiday Classic at 14.76 meters At West Virginia in 2010: • Qualified for the BIG EAST Indoor Championships in the 20-pound weight throw • Finished 13th after throwing 15.01 meters • Placed 19th in the hammer throw at the BIG EAST Outdoor Championships after throwing 45.41 meters • Placed 16th at the Penn State National Invitational in the 20-pound weight throw (16.19 meters) • Finished in third in the women’s 20-pound weight throw at the WVU State Farm Games (14.95 meters) • Took 19th at the PSU Northeast Challenge in the shot put (10.35 meters) • Placed 13th in the 20-pound weight throw (14.06 meters) • Placed eighth in the shot put (11.26 meters) and fifth in the weight throw (13.17 meters) at the WVU Classic • Finished second (44.82 meters) in the hammer throw at the Wheeling Jesuit Bill Van Horne Invitational • Placed third in the hammer throw (42.88 meters) at the James Madison Invitational • Finished second (45.95 meters) in the hammer throw and seventh (11.47 meters) in the shot put at the Father Bede Hines Invite
At West Virginia in 2011: • Earned third team All-America honors in the long jump at the NCAA Outdoor Championships by coming in 20th place at 6.02 meters • Qualified for NCAAs with 11th-place finish in the long jump at the NCAA East Regional with a distance of 6.07 meters • Qualified for the NCAA East Regional for first time of her career with eighth-place finish in the long jump at 5.81 meters at the BIG EAST Championships • Finished first in long jump at the Penn Relays with a personal-best 6.17 meters (third-best ever at WVU) to qualify for BIG EAST Championships • Came in first place in the long jump at 6.09 meters at the Kent Taylor-Joe Hilton Invitational • Achieved fourth place in the long jump at the Stanford Invitational at 5.70 meters • During indoor season, earned fourth place in long jump at the BIG EAST Championships with a distance of 5.86 meters • Placed third in the 60-meter dash in 8.26 seconds at the Blue-Gold Meet • Finished second in the long jump at the GaREAT Invitational with a distance of 5.76 meters • Recorded a ninth-place mark in the long jump at 5.81 meters at the Penn State National • Competed in the triple jump at the WVU State Farm Games and WVU Holiday Classic, finishing third at both • Member of 4x400 relay foursome at WVU Holiday Classic, helping squad to third place in 4:14.77 At West Virginia in 2010: • Qualified for the BIG EAST Indoor Championships in the long jump, finishing in sixth place (5.90 meters) • Posted a fourth-place showing (5.89 meters) in the long jump at the BIG EAST Outdoor Championships • Aided the 4x400 relay team to a first-place finish at the WVU State Farm Games (4:00.6) • Finished fifth in the high jump at the WVU State Farm Games • Finished second in the long jump (5.68 meters) • Placed fourth in the long jump (5.63 meters) at the PSU Northeast Challenge • Took first and posted a BIG EAST indoor qualifying standard in the long jump at the WVU Holiday Classic (5.58 meters) • Finished sixth in the long jump (5.62 meters) at the Sykes-Sabock Challenge • Captured fourth (5.92 meters) at the Sea Ray Relays • Placed second in the long jump (5.55 meters) at the James Madison Invitational
At West Virginia in 2008: • Took 20th in the weight throw (8.54 meters) at Penn State Relays • Threw 9.98 meters to finish 13th at WVU State Farm Games • Placed 23rd with 36.64-meter hammer throw at Raleigh Relays
At West Virginia in 2009: • Placed 14th (5.45 meters) in the high jump at the BIG EAST Championships • Finished second in the 400-meter dash (1:00.5) at the Robert Morris Bennie Benson Memorial Invitational • Placed second in the high jump (1.55 meter) and in the long jump (5.49 meters) • Finished second at the State Farm Games (1.60 meters) • Tied teammate Natasha Redman for first at the WVU Invitational (1.60 meters) • Finished in third at the Bill Van Horne Invitational (1.52 meters) • Competed in the long jump at the Bill Van Horne and placed first (5.44 meters)
Prep: • Attended Brooke High • Three-time state qualifier and holds school record in shot put • Wrestled one season, the first female in school history to do so • Played volleyball and basketball • Honor roll member
Prep: • Attended Berkeley Springs High • Won states in high jump and broke the state record • Part of the 4x800 team that won states three consecutive years • Owns state title in 300-meter hurdles • Won high point award junior and senior years
Personal: • Daughter of Patrick and Brenda Montgomery • Birthday is Oct. 22 • Majoring in physical education – teacher education • Garrett Ford Academic Honor Roll • BIG EAST Academic All-Star
Personal: • Daughter of Paul Mock and Darlene Sherrard • Has three brothers and two sisters • Majoring in elementary education • Garrett Ford Academic Honor Roll member • BIG EAST Academic All-Star
At West Virginia in 2009: • Redshirted while serving overseas for the Air National Guard in Saudi Arabia
40 [ WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY ]
Aubrey Moskal
Lauren Moskal
[ 5-4 • r-junior • distance • morgantown, w.va. ] [ 5-4 • r-junior • multi-event • morgantown, w.va. ] At West Virginia in 2011: • Came in 19th place in the 1,500-meter run at the BIG EAST Championships in 4:48.02 • Finished 19th in the 800-meter run and 12th in the 1,500-meter run at the Kent Taylor-Joe Hilton Invitational • Placed 26th in the 1,500-meter run at the Colonial Relays in 4:41.38 • Member of 4x800 relay squad at the Colonial Relays, helping foursome to third place in 9:00.63 • During indoor season, came in ninth place in the mile in 5:02.45 at the BIG EAST Championships • Finished first in the mile at the Blue-Gold Meet in 4:59.24 • Placed first in the 3,000-meter run in 9:55 at the Penn State Relays • Member of 4x800 relay foursome at Penn State Relays, helping squad to second place in 12:08 • Helped mile relay team to first-place mark at the Penn State Relays in 21:11 At West Virginia in 2010: • BIG EAST qualifier in the mile • Finished 20th with a time of 5:05.71 at the BIG EAST Indoor Championships • Finished sixth (5:05.95) in the mile at the Penn State National Invitational • Captured second in the mile at the WVU State Farm Games (5:12.94) • Placed 13th in the 1,000-meter run at the PSU Northeast Challenge • Finished eighth in the 3,000-meter run at the James Madison Invitational • Took first-place in the 1,500-meter run (4:48.19) at the Father Bede Hines Invite At West Virginia in 2009: • Saw limited action • Ran unattached at the Robert Morris Bennie Benson Memorial Invitational, finishing fourth (4:49.27) in the 1,500-meter race • Competed unattached at the Bill Van Horne Invitational, finishing eighth (2:27.26) in the 800-meter run At West Virginia in 2008: • Redshirt season • Finished 33rd (23:10) in the junior women’s 6K at the United States World Cross Country Trials
At West Virginia in 2011: • Competed during indoor season • Took third in the 800-meter run in 2:30.86 at the Blue-Gold Meet • Finished 13th in the 400-meter dash at the GaREAT Invitational in 1:03.19 • Placed seventh in the 500-meter dash in 1:23.83 at the WVU State Farm Games • Achieved eighth place in the 500-meter dash in 1:26.34 at the WVU Holiday Classic • Member of 4x400 relay squad at the WVU State Farm Games, helping foursome to fourth-place mark in 4:13.23
coaches athletes preview review records wvu media
At West Virginia in 2010: • Finished seventh in the 500-meter run at the WVU State Farm Games • Took third in the mile at the WVU Holiday Classic (5:56.17) • Placed 11th in the 400-meter dash at the James Madison Invitational • Aided the 4x400-meter relay team to a fourth-place showing At West Virginia in 2009: • Saw limited action • Ran unattached at the Bill Van Horne Invitational and finished 10th (1:04.43) in the 400-meter dash Prep: • Ran track for coach Mike Ryan at Morgantown High • Finished sixth in the 4x800 at the 2008 state track meet • Four-year letterwinner and all-conference soccer player Personal: • Daughter of Pam Moskal • Sister, Aubrey, also a member of the WVU track and cross country teams • Birthday is Feb. 20 • Majoring in sport and exercise psychology • Garrett Ford Academic Honor Roll member • BIG EAST Academic All-Star
Prep: • Top-15 finisher at state cross country meet for three years at Morgantown High • All-state in cross country as a freshman • Captain of state runner-up cross country team as a senior • Captained the track team as a senior • Part of state 4x400 and 4x800 relay teams • All-state in the 800-meter event and 4x800 as a senior • Participated in the WV Flyers track club Personal: • Daughter of Pam Moskal • Sister, Lauren, is also a member of the WVU track and field team • Birthday is Feb. 20 • Majoring in elementary education • Garrett Ford Academic Honor Roll member • BIG EAST Academic All-Star
Lauren Moskal
[ 2011-12 TRACK & FIELD ] 41
Kimberly Mulvin [ 5-4 • sophomore • pole vault • erie, pa. ] At West Virginia in 2011: • Came in 24th place in the pole vault at 2.95 meters at the Colonial Relays • Competed in the pole vault at the Kent Taylor-Joe Hilton Invitational • During indoor season, finished first in the pole vault at the Blue-Gold Meet at 3.20 meters • Placed ninth at the GaREAT Invitational with a season-best 3.21 meters • Achieved third place at 3.10 meters at the WVU State Farm Games • Came in fourth place at the WVU Holiday Classic at 3.20 meters Prep: • Coached by Joe Sanford at McDowell High • Took fourth place at indoor state championships in the pole vault • Placed fifth at outdoor state championships in the pole vault Personal: • Daughter of Paul and Christina Mulvin • Mother played soccer at Penn State-Behrend • Has one brother • Birthday is Dec. 16 • Majoring in fashion design and merchandising • BIG EAST Academic All-Star
Jessica O’Connell [ 5-3 • senior • mid-distance •calgary, alberta ] At West Virginia in 2011: • Competed during indoor season • Earned second team All-America honors at the NCAA Indoor Championships with a 16thplace finish in the 3,000-meter run • Achieved first ever BIG EAST title in the 3,000-meter run in 9:21.09 at the BIG EAST Championships • Came in third place in the 3,000-meter run in 9:14.12 at the Columbia Last Chance Meet • Recorded first-place mark in the 3,000-meter run at the Blue-Gold Meet • Finished third in the mile at the GaREAT Invitational in 4:42.00 • Earned second place in the mile in 4:43.00 at the Penn State Relays • Came in fourth place in the 5,000-meter run at the WVU State Farm Games At West Virginia in 2010: • Named an All-American at the NCAA Indoor Championships as a member of the DMR team that finished in eighth place (11:16.39) • Finished 11th in the 3,000-meter run at NCAAs (9:18.78) • Competed in the 1,500-meter race at Regionals, finishing in 10th place in the semifinals (4:30.05) • Aided the DMR and 4x800 relay teams to third-place finishes at the BIG EAST Indoor Championships • Helped 4x800 relay team post a school record and fourth-place finish at the BIG EAST Outdoor Championships after crossing the line with a time of 8:47.95 • Posted a personal-best performance with a time of 4:19.00 in the 1,500-meter run at the Swarthmore Last Chance Meet • Finished second in the 800-meter run at the Penn State National Invitational with a time of 2:10.53 • Took second in the 1,000-meter run at the PSU Northeast Challenge with meet record time of 2:47.59
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• Finished with a BIG EAST qualifying time of 4:22.29 with an eighth-place showing in the 1,500-meter race at the Sun Angel Classic • Placed second in the 800-meter run (2:18.28) at the James Madison Invitational At West Virginia in 2009: • Finished in 10th place in the 1,500-meter race with a time of 4:26.73 at the 2009 Canadian Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Toronto • Placed fourth (4:25.86) in the 1,500-meter run at the ECAC Outdoor Championships • Finished eighth (4:27.20) in the 1,500-meter run at the BIG EAST Outdoor Championships • Came in 14th in the 3,000-meter run at the Penn Relays (9:55.63) At the University of Calgary: • Rookie of the year for track and cross country • Two-time all-Canadian (1,500-meter and 4x800-meter) • Team placed second at the CIS Cross Country Championship • Ran impressive time (4:19.42) to take second in the 1,500-meter run at the Victoria International Track Classic • Qualified for World Junior Cross Country Championship • 1,500-meter qualifier for the 2008 World Junior Championships in Poland Prep: • Ran for Mike Van Tighem at Western Canada High • 2006 Athletics Alberta Juvenile Athlete of the Year award • Cross country athlete of the year as a sophomore and senior • Track athlete of the year as a junior and senior • Five-time high school provincial champion in track • Owns three provincial records and two provincial high school records • Placed ninth at the NACAC cross country championships • Third in 3,000-meter run and fourth in 1,500-meter run at the Pan-Am Junior Championships in Sao Paulo, Brazil • Recipient of the Melissa Bone scholarship Personal: • Daughter of Steve and Annette O’Connell • One of two children • Birthday is Feb. 10 • Enjoys Irish step dancing • Majoring in exercise physiology • Garrett Ford Academic Honor Roll member • BIG EAST Academic All-Star
Jessica O’Connell
Allison Pettit
Hallie Portner
[ 5-6 • r-sophomore • distance • morgantown, w.va. ] [ 5-1 • junior • distance • morgantown, w.va. ] At West Virginia in 2011: • Competed during the indoor season • Came in first place in the 800-meter run in 2:24.27 at the Blue-Gold Meet • Finished in 11th place in the 3,000-meter at the GaREAT Invitational in 10:06.50 • Achieved ninth place in the 3,000-meter in 10:16 at the Penn State Relays • Earned fourth place in the 800-meter run at the WVU State Farm Games At West Virginia in 2010: • Took a redshirt Prep: • MVP of Morgantown High cross country and track teams • Ran under coach John Patti and coach Mike Ryan • Awarded the Arthur Clyde Award • National Honors Society member and officer Personal: • Daughter of John and Denise Pettit • Father competed for WVU swim team • Has one sister • Birthday is Nov. 20 • Majoring in exercise physiology • Garrett Ford Academic Honor Roll • BIG EAST Academic All-Star
At West Virginia in 2011: • Competed during indoor season • Came in 13th place in the 3,000-meter run in 10:20.71 at the GaREAT Invitational • Finished third in the mile at the WVU State Farm Games in 5:08.33 • Member of 4x800 relay at the Penn State National, helping foursome to seventh place in 11:53.14 • Member of 4x800 relay at the Penn State Relays, helping squad to firstplace finish in 21:11
coaches athletes preview review records wvu media
At West Virginia in 2010: • Qualified to compete in the mile at the BIG EAST Indoor Championships, finishing 23rd with a time of 5:14.08 • Finished ninth in the mile (5:06.90) at the Penn State National Invitational • Came in third in the mile at the WVU State Farm Games • Finished 12th in the 3,000-meter run at the PSU Northeast Challenge At West Virginia in 2009: • Redshirted • Finished 32nd (23:08) in the junior women’s 6K at the United States World Cross Country Trials in February Prep: • Coached by Ed Frohnapfel at University High • NCAC 1,600-meter champion and took third at 2008 state track meet • Took sixth in state in the 3,200-meter race in 2008 • Placed fourth at 2007 state meet in 3,200-meter race • Helped cross country team win 2007 NCAC, regional and state titles • Took third individually at the 2007 state cross country meet • All-conference in track and cross country • Played soccer for three years at UHS Personal: • Daughter of Robert and Darlene Portner • Grew up in Colorado Springs, Colo., before moving to Morgantown • One of two children • Birthday is May 14 • Majoring in exercise physiology • Garrett Ford Academic Honor Roll member • BIG EAST Academic All-Star
Allison Pettit
[ 2011-12 TRACK & FIELD ] 43
Alanna Pritts [ 5-5 • r-junior • throws • weirton, w.va. ] At West Virginia in 2011: • Came in 35th place in the hammer throw at 38.50 meters at the Ashland Alumni Invitational • Finished in 18th in the hammer throw at the Colonial Relays at 37.51 meters • Achieved ninth place in the hammer throw at 38.26 meters at the Bill Van Horne Invitational • Earned 11th-place mark in the hammer throw at 35.34 meters at the Kent Taylor-Joe Hilton Invitational • During indoor season, came in third place in the weight throw at 13.03 at the Blue-Gold Meet • Finished sixth in the weight throw at the GaREAT Invitational at 11.86 meters • Achieved sixth in the weight throw at 13.11 meters at the WVU State Farm Games • Earned 15th place in the weight throw at the WVU Holiday Classic at 10.09 meters At West Virginia in 2010: • Took a redshirt Prep: • Valedictorian of graduating class at Weirton High • Finished in third at the West Virginia state track meet Personal: • Daughter of Alan and Debbie Pritts • Has one sister • Birthday is June 22 • Majoring in animal and nutritional sciences • Garrett Ford Academic Honor Roll • BIG EAST Academic All-Star
Katlyn Shelar [ 5-5 • sophomore • pole vault •novi, mich ] At West Virginia in 2011: • Came in 11th place in the pole vault at 3.65 meters at the BIG EAST Outdoor Championships • Finished fourth at the Jesse Owens Classic at 3.55 meters • Achieved fourth place at 3.50 meters at the Kent Taylor-Joe Hilton Invitational • Recorded first-place finish at the Bennie Benson Invitational at 3.50 meters • Placed ninth at 3.40 meters at the Colonial Relays • Came in second at the Bill Van Horne Invitational at 3.50 meters • During indoor season, finished 11th at 3.55 meters at the BIG EAST Championships • Achieved first place at the Penn State Relays at 3.60 meters • Recorded seventh-place mark at 3.36 meters at the GaREAT Invitational • Earned first place at the WVU State Farm Games at 3.40 meters • Came in first place at 3.35 meters at the Doug Raymond Invitational • Finished second at the Penn State Relays at 3.35 meters Prep: • Coached by Seth Furlow at Novi High • Named all-conference in 2007, 2009 • A regional champion pole vaulter in 2008 • Named all-region from 2007-09
44 [ WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY ]
• All-county from 2007-09 • An Oakland County pole vault champion in 2007-08 • Named all-state in 2007 • All-area first team from 2007-09 Personal: • Daughter of John and Karen Shelar • Has one brother and one sister • Birthday is June 29 • Majoring in pre-forensic investigative science
Brittney Thomas [ 5-6 • junior • throws •oak hill, w.va. ] At West Virginia in 2011: • Came in sixth place in the discus at 35.63 meters at the Bill Van Horne Invitational • Achieved seventh in the discus and 10th in the hammer throw at the Kent Taylor-Joe Hilton Invitational • Placed 17th in the discus at the Colonial Relays at 36.67 meters • Recorded fourth-place mark in the hammer throw at 40.22 meters at the Bennie Benson Invitational • During indoor season, came in second in the weight throw at 13.99 meters at the Blue-Gold Meet • Finished fifth in the weight throw at the GaREAT Invitational at 13.03 meters • Achieved fourth place in the weight throw at 14.18 meters at the WVU State Farm Games • Earned eighth place in the weight throw at the WVU Holiday Classic at 12.62 meters At West Virginia in 2010: • Finished ninth in the women’s 20-pound weight throw at the WVU State Farm Games (11.18 meters) • Placed 16th in the weight throw at the PSU Northeast Challenge (11.15 meters) • Took 12th in the weight throw at the WVU Classic (13.17 meters) • Finished 12th (33.84) in the hammer throw at the Wheeling Jesuit Bill Van Horne Invitational • Tied for fifth in discus (37.13 meters) at the James Madison Invitational • Finished 10th in the hammer throw Prep: • Two-time West Virginia state discus champion from Oak Hill High • Part of 2009 Class AA state champion team Personal: • Daughter of Edward and Sherry Thomas • Has two siblings • Birthday is Jan. 15 • Majoring in exercise physiology • Garrett Ford Academic Honor Roll • BIG EAST Academic All-Star
Chenê Townsend
Allison Tyree
[ 5-9 • r-sophomore • hurdles • kingston, jamaica ] [ 5-10 • sophomore • sprints • chesterland, ohio ] At West Virginia in 2011: • Achieved a personal-best 13.71 seconds in the 100-meter hurdles at the NCAA East Regional, good for 20th place at the meet • Came in fifth place in the 100-meter hurdles in 14:01 at the BIG EAST Championships • Member of 4x100 relay at the BIG EAST Championships, helping foursome to fourth place in 46.17 seconds • Ran under 14 seconds in the 100-meter hurdles for first time at the Texas Relays, running in 13.72 seconds in the preliminaries • Finished fourth in the 100-meter hurdles at 14.28 seconds at the Colonial Relays • Competed in the 100-meter hurdles at the Stanford Invitational • Member of 4x100 relay at the Jesse Owens Classic, helping squad to third place in 46.90 seconds • During indoor season, finished first in the 60-meter dash, second in the 60-meter hurdles, and fifth in the triple jump at the WVU Holiday Classic • Came in fourth place in the 60-meter hurdles at the BIG EAST Championships in 8.56 seconds • Finished first in the 200-meter dash and second in the 60-meter dash at the Blue-Gold Meet • Achieved third place in the 60-meter hurdles and sixth in the 200-meter dash at the GaREAT Invitational • Recorded first place in the 60-meter dash and second-place marks in the 60-meter hurdles and triple jump at the WVU State Farm Games • Finished sixth in the 60-meter hurdles in 9.01 seconds at the Penn State Relays At West Virginia in 2010: • BIG EAST qualifier • Finished 15th in the 60-meter hurdles (8.96) at the BIG EAST Championships • Placed 27th in the preliminaries of 60-meter hurdles at the Penn State National • Competed in the 60-meter hurdles at the PSU Northeast Challenge Prep: • Captain of track team at Alpha Academy
At West Virginia in 2011: coaches • Came in 18th place in the athletes 400-meter dash in 58.44 seconds at preview the Jesse Owens Classic • Finished 16th in the 400-meter review dash at the Kent Taylor-Joe Hilton records Invitational in 58.29 seconds wvu • Achieved first place in her heat of media the 400-meter dash in 59.11 seconds at the Colonial Relays • Member of 4x400 relay at the BIG EAST Championships, helping squad to third-place mark in 3:41.68 • During indoor season, came in second in the 400-meter dash at the Blue-Gold Meet in 1:02.20 • Placed ninth in the 400-meter dash in 59.62 seconds at the GaREAT Invitational • Finished ninth in the 500-meter dash at the WVU State Farm Games in 1:24.25 • Earned sixth place in the 400-meter dash in 1:03.99 at the WVU Holiday Classic • Member of 4x400 relay at the WVU State Farm Games and the WVU Holiday Classic Prep: • Coached by Mike Taurasi at West Geauga High • Named track and field team’s most valuable player • Also played soccer (player of the year) and basketball (team mvp) • Helped 4x400 relay team to fifth place at the Division I Ohio state championships • Set the school records in the 200-meter dash, 4x200 relay, 4x400 relay, pole vault, pole vault relay, and sprint relay • Named all-academic Ohio and first team all-Chagrin Valley Conference in track, soccer and basketball • Won Miss Wolverine for most athletic female for senior class Personal: • Daughter of Frank and Linda Tyree • Father wrestled at University of Cincinnati • Has one sister • Birthday is Sept. 15 • Majoring in industrial engineering • BIG EAST Academic All-Star
Personal: • Daughter of Norman and Barbara Townsend • Birthday is Dec. 12 • Majoring in exercise physiology • BIG EAST Academic All-Star
Chenê Townsend
[ 2011-12 TRACK & FIELD ] 45
Katelyn Williams
Brittany Wolford
[ 5-7 • r-senior • high jump/multi • chesterland, ohio ] [ 5-7 • senior • sprints • capon bridge, w.va. ] At West Virginia in 2011: • Named third team All-America in the high jump following an 18th-place, 1.76-meter finish at the NCAA Outdoor Championships • Came in ninth place in the high jump at the NCAA East Regional at 1.78 meters • Finished second in the high jump (1.78 meters) and third in the heptathlon (5,044 points) at the BIG EAST Championships • Achieved first place in the high jump (1.79 meters) during heptathlon events at BIG EAST Championships • Recorded third place in the high jump at 1.70 meters at the Jesse Owens Classic • Earned 19th place in the heptathlon with 4,699 points at the Texas Relays • Came in 11th place in the high jump at 1.71 meters at the Stanford Invitational • During indoor season, finished fourth in the long jump at 5.08 meters at the WVU Holiday Classic At West Virginia in 2010: • Competed in the high jump at the NCAA Outdoor Championships • Qualified for NCAAs after jumping 1.78 meters for 11th place at Regionals • Finished eighth in heptathlon with 4,639 points at BIG EAST Championships • Finished third at the BIG EAST Championships in the high jump (1.75 meters) • Placed fifth in the high jump at the Penn State National after clearing 1.70 meters • Captured first in the high jump at the WVU State Farm Games (1.75 meters) • Finished third in the long jump (5.28) • Aided the 4x400-meter relay team to a 10th-place finish at the PSU Northeast Challenge (3:53.01) • Finished fourth in the high jump (1.70 meters) • Came in ninth (4,689 points) in the heptathlon at the Sea Ray Relays • Finished second in the high jump (1.70 meters) at the James Madison Invitational At West Virginia in 2009: • Cleared 1.70 meters to tie for fourth in the high jump at the 2009 Canadian Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Toronto • Finished seventh at the ECAC Outdoor Championships (1.70 meters) • Took first at Penn State Open (1.71 meters) • Finished 10th (1.60 meters) at the BIG EAST Outdoor Championships • Tied for fourth (1.68 meters) at the Penn Relays • Cleared 1.67 meters for second place at the Bill Van Horne Invitational • Placed seventh (1.70 meters) at the BIG EAST Indoor Championships • Finished third at the Sykes-Sabock Challenge Cup (1.72 meters) At West Virginia in 2008: • BIG EAST qualifier in high jump after clearing 1.66 meters at the Holiday Classic • Jumped 1.75 meters to tie for the fourth-highest mark in the BIG EAST at the WVU Invitational, posting NCAA Regional qualifying marks • Won the college division high jump at the Penn Relays, jumping 1.77 meters • Tied for third in the high jump after clearing 1.75 meters at the BIG EAST Outdoor Championships • Tied for ninth place in the high jump with a jump of 1.70 meters at ECAC Outdoor Championships • Placed 11th with a jump of 1.71 meters at the NCAA East Outdoor Regionals Prep: • Team captain and standout high jumper at West Geauga High • Holds the Ohio Division II state record in high jump • High jump state runner-up in 2007 • All-American at Nike indoor and Nike outdoor nationals in high jump • Had a 4.0 grade point average in high school Personal: • Daughter of Wayne and Beth Williams • Has two brothers and a sister • Birthday is Feb. 13 • Majoring in nursing • Garrett Ford Academic Honor Roll member • BIG EAST Academic All-Star
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At West Virginia in 2011: • Finished 23rd in the 400-meter dash in 59.83 seconds at the Jesse Owens Classic • During indoor season, came in first place in the 400-meter dash at the Blue-Gold Meet in 1:00.29 • Achieved 10th place in the 400-meter dash in 1:00.85 at the GaREAT Invitational • Earned fourth place in the 500-meter dash at the WVU State Farm Games in 1:21.26 • Came in second place in the 500-meter dash in 1:20.23 at the WVU Holiday Classic • Member of 4x400 relay at the WVU Holiday Classic, helping squad to first place in 3:59.93 • Helped 4x400 relay achieve 16th place in 3:49.42 at the Penn State Relays • Assisted 4x400 relay to a first-place mark at the WVU State Farm Games in 3:58.38 At West Virginia in 2010: • Aided the WVU 4x400-meter relay team to a first-place finish at the WVU State Farm Games (4:00.6) • Helped the WVU DMR team to a second-place finish at the PSU Northeast Challenge (12:08.82) • Aided the 4x400-meter relay team to a fourth-place showing at the James Madison Invitational • Finished third in the 400-meter dash at the Father Bede Hines Invite At West Virginia in 2009: • Joined the team mid-season • Finished fifth in the high jump (1.52 meters) at the Bill Van Horne Invitational Prep: • Competed at Hampshire High • All-state in high jump sophomore through senior years • All-state in long jump sophomore season • Finished seventh at the state track meet in the shuttle hurdles • Named team MVP Personal: • Daughter of Anthony and Cynthia Wolford • An only child • Birthday is Dec. 12 • Majoring in exercise physiology • Garrett Ford Academic Honor Roll member • BIG EAST Academic All-Star
Shannen Daly [ 5-8 • freshman • mid-distance • dale city, w.va. ] Prep: • Ran for coach Mike Thornton at C.D. Hylton Senior High • Has a personal record of 2:19 in the 800-meter run • Set a personal record of 25 seconds in the 200-meter run • Graduated in top five percent of class • An AP Scholar Personal: • Daughter of Joseph and Annette Daly • Both parents ran track and cross country in college
• Has one brother • Birthday is July 29 • Looks to earn a dual degree in aerospace and mechanical engineering
Kiley Defibaugh
Carrie Long
[ 5-7 • freshman • pole vault • moundsville, w.va. ] [ 5-11 • freshman • pole vault • franklin, n.c. ] Prep: • Coached by Jason Willis at John Marshall High • Two-time state champion AAA pole vaulter • OVAC pole vault champion in 2010 • Four-time letterwinner in track • Qualified four times for pole vault at the state meet and four times for shuttle hurdles • Qualified twice for state in the long jump • Received Ms. Monarch award for outstanding athletics and GPA • Also lettered in soccer and basketball Personal: • Daughter of Larry and Terri Defibaugh
• Has three older brothers • Birthday is July 26 • Majoring in pre-sport management
Karissa Knabenshue [ 5-7 • freshman • throws • buckhannon, w.va. ] Prep: • Coached by Jackie Zuliani at Buckhannon Upshur High • Three-time state champion in the shot put • Owns the state meet record in the shot put • Achieved school record in the shot put and discus • Was the regional and conference champion in the shot put and discus • State champion in discus • Honor roll student
• Has one sister and one brother • Birthday is Feb. 1 • Enrolled in general studies
Personal: • Daughter of Tim and Karen Knabenshue
Sarah McCauley [ 5-4 • freshman • distance • belington, w.va. ] Prep: • Coached by Missy Kaiser at Philip Barbour High • 1600- and 3200-meter champion in 2010 and 2011 • 2010 Gatorade West Virginia Cross Country Runner of the Year • Won individual title, led team to state cross country title in 2010 • Placed third at state championships in 2008 and 2009, earning all-state • 1600-meter champion in 2008 • Also competed in basketball, volleyball and track • Graduated magna cum laude with a 3.88 GPA • Student Body Vice-President Personal: • Daughter of George and Robin McCauley • Has one brother • Birthday is Nov. 29 • Majoring in dental hygiene
Prep: • Competed as an undergrad at Gardner-Webb University • Named to Big South Conference all-academic team • One of five recipients of the Big South Conference’s George A. Christianberry Award for academic excellence • A USTFCCCA all-academic team member at Gardner-Webb • Set the GWU school record in the
coaches athletes preview review records wvu media
women’s pole vault at 3.75m • 2011 NCAA Woman of the Year nominee • Coached by Jay Brooks and Jerry Hock at Franklin High • Was a three-sport standout in track, swimming and volleyball • Recorded the second-best pole vault mark all-time in state history • Class valedictorian Personal: • Daughter of Drs. Jim and Cathy Long • Father was a baseball and football player at Davidson College • Has one sister • Birthday is June 9 • Working on a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences
Amber McCloskey [ 5-10 • junior • multi • wheeling, w.va. ] Prep: • Attended Wheeling Park High • Did not compete in high school athletics • Member of the National Honor Society • Student Council President • Member of the Hi-Y service club Personal: • Daughter of Scott and Lisa McCloskey • Birthday is Oct. 16 • Began competitive running in college at community 5k races • Majoring in geography
[ 2011-12 TRACK & FIELD ] 47
Stormy Nesbit
Kelly Williams
[ 6-0 • sophomore • multi •roseville, minn. ]
[ 5-9 • freshman • distance • chesterland, ohio ]
Prep: • Transfer from University of Minnesota • 2009 graduate of Roseville Area High School • Coached by Mark Sotabeer • Named all-conference from 2006-09 • Named all-state from 2007-09 • Participated in AAU track • Placed at the Minnesota Class AA state meet in the 800-meter relay in 2006 and 2007 • Set school records in the triple jump, 100-meter run, 200-meter run, 400- and 800-meter relay • Also lettered in basketball and volleyball • Earned an academic letter Personal: • Parents are Willie and Phyllis Nesbit • Has one sister and one brother • Birthday is Jan. 23
Letitia Prospt [ 5-4 • freshman • distance •elkins, w.va. ] Prep: • Coached by Shellie Burda at Elkins High • Earned three individual state cross country titles (2007, 2008, 2010) • Achieved four individual regional cross country titles and three personal NCAC titles • Earned three individual track titles as a senior in the 3200-, 1600- and 800-meter runs • Two-time Gatorade Player of the Year (2007, 2008) • Also competed in swimming • National Honor Society member • National Spanish Honor Society • Served as Student Body Vice President Personal: • Daughter of Lanny and Molly Propst • Father was a multi-sport athlete at Potomac State, walked on at WVU in track • Has one brother • Birthday is Dec. 3 • Majoring in pre-biology
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Prep: • Coached by Mike Taurasi at West Geauga High • Graduated with a 4.1 GPA • Member of the National Honor Society • Student Council Secretary • Earned all-state in the 800-meter senior year • Achieved all-state in the 4x400 sophomore year • Also competed in gymnastics Personal: • Daughter of Wayne and Beth Williams • Older sister, Katelyn, is an All-American high jumper at WVU • Has two brothers • Birthday is Aug. 7 • Majoring in human nutrition and foods
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[ 2011-12 TRACK & FIELD ] 49
2011-12 Preview
[ wvu aiming for fifth-consecutive top 20 ncaa finish ]
Katelyn Williams
After a year in which a track and field team boasts accolades such as Top-20 finishes in both indoor and outdoor seasons, 13 All-America performances and a BIG EAST Coaching Staff of the Year award, it’s generally safe to believe that the following season will be a rebound year. Such isn’t the case with the 2011-12 West Virginia University track and field team, which returns a bevy of talented athletes to the lineup and expects a fifth-consecutive year of Top-20 national finishes in both indoor and outdoor seasons. “The excitement around the program is at an all-time high,” says fifth-year WVU coach Sean Cleary, the reigning NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional Coach of the Year and finalist for the USTFCCCA Coach of the Year award. “Training has progressed all summer and fall and everyone is making strides in accomplishing their goals before the indoor season begins. We have a lot of talent returning and we look to build on what we’ve accomplished the past few years.” All-American Chelsea Carrier returns for a final year of eligibility for the outdoor season having set multiple school records
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Chelsea Carrier
last season in sprint and hurdles events. The 2011 Mid-Atlantic Women’s Field Athlete of the Year, Carrier broke school records in the 60m hurdles, pentathlon, 100m hurdles and heptathlon events and was three times named BIG EAST Athlete of the Week during indoor and outdoor. “Chelsea has accomplished almost everything that she can in collegiate athletics,” Cleary says. “The one remaining goal would be for her to take home a national title. She is certainly on a short list of potential winners. Our vision is to give her the best chance to accomplish her career goals. Chelsea has been a rock for this program. We owe it to her to ensure that she is best prepared for NCAAs and the Olympic trials.” After earning first team All-America honors in the heptathlon, the Buckhannon, W.Va. native also became the first Mountaineer to win a BIG EAST title in the long jump and topped her junior season off with a semifinals run at the United States Track and Field Championships in the 100m hurdles. For the indoor season, Carrier was an All-American in the 60m hurdles and pentathlon and was also BIG EAST champion for
2011-12 Preview
[ wvu aiming for fifth-consecutive top 20 ncaa finish ] the two events during the 2011 season. Also in for a final run is redshirt senior Kate Harrison, who finished the 2011 outdoor season with a first team All-America honor in the 10,000-meters after coming in second place at the NCAA Championships. She also came in first at the NCAA East regional and was the BIG EAST champion for the same event, her first individual conference title. “Kate will return as one of the favorites to win the NCAA in the10,000,” Cleary says. “I expect to see Katie Gillespie on her shoulder in the late stages of the national final trying to make her own destiny.” For the long jump event, senior Meghan Mock looks for another big year after achieving third team All-America honors at the NCAA Outdoor Championships. She also placed eighth at the BIG EAST Championships and 11th at the NCAA East Regional. “Meghan made amazing strides last year and appears to be headed in the same direction this year,” Cleary says. “After competing at the NCAA outdoor meet, we’re looking at Meg to raise the bar with her experiences and also contend for a BIG EAST title and potential Top 8 at the NCAA meet.” As for high jumps, Sydney Cummings looks to continue the momentum she established in 2011 and build off of her fifthplace finish at BIG EAST and the 1.75-meter mark she reached. She also qualified for her first NCAA East Regional and came in 18th place overall. A 2011 third team All-American in the high jump, Katelyn Williams will also look to build off her second-place finish in the BIG EAST last year. “Katelyn was amazing at BIG EAST a year ago,” Cleary says. “We expect nothing less than for her to again qualify for the NCAA Championships. In the forefront of our minds, our staff is confident that the Katelyn and Sydney duo is every bit as good as the Carrier/Mock, Carrier- Chene Townsend combos. Sydney has ability and has put in the work required to find herself in the NCAA finals this year. “I feel very strongly that we will see production more than simply qualifying for the BIG EAST from each of our field events,” Cleary continues. “Each area has trained hard in the offseason; there is no reason not to believe that every event will contribute.” Distance running will be led with strong runners in Kaylyn Christopher, Jessica O’Connell, Kaitlyn Gillespie, Ahna Lewis, Jordan Hamric, Hallie Portner, Sarah Martinelli, Aubrey Moskal, Stephanie Aldea and Josie Crouch. “We have always relied heavily on the middle- and longdistance runners,” Cleary says. “We have returning depth from last year. Our goal is to have every single distance runner in the program qualify for the BIG EAST Championships,” Cleary says. For the hammer throw, Terina Miller and Heather Adams will lead the squad as both made huge strides in 2011 to contribute to the team. Miller qualified for the BIG EAST Championships and finished in tenth place with a mark of 49.93 meters. She had two first-place finishes on the year. “Our throwers look poised to make an impact at the BIG EAST level for the first time in many years,” Cleary says. “They are stronger than ever as we near the end of fall training and are expected to impact outdoors. Terina is entering her 5th year
2011-12 QUICK FACTS The University Location: Morgantown, W.Va. Enrollment: 29,617 Founded: 1867 President: Dr. James P. Clements Director of Athletics: Oliver Luck Nickname: Mountaineers School Colors: Old Gold (PMS 124) and Blue (PMS 295) Capacity: 14,000 Senior Women’s Associate: Terri Howes NCAA Faculty Rep.: John W. Fisher II
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Coaching Staff Head Coach: Sean Cleary (fifth season/20th overall) Assistant: Shelly Gallimore (fourth season) Volunteer Assistant: Ilora Cipolat Sports Psychologist: Dr. Ed Etzel Sports Communications Assistant Athletic Director/Communications: Michael Fragale Sports Information Director: Bryan Messerly Sports Publications Director: Joe Swan Associate Sports Information Director: Katie Kane Assistant Sports Information Director: Shannon McNamara Track and Field SID: Daniel Whitehead Phone Number: (304) 293-2821 Fax Number: (304) 293-4105 E-mail Address: Daniel.Whitehead@mail.wvu.edu Mailing Address: Sports Communications Office West Virginia University P.O. Box 0877 Morgantown, WV 26507-0877 Athletic Website: www.MSNsportsNET.com Conference Website: www.BIGEAST.com
Meghan Mock
[ 2011-12 TRACK & FIELD ] 51
2011-12 Preview
[ wvu aiming for fifth-consecutive top 20 ncaa finish ] with the team and has all the tools to make a big impact in the hammer, while Heather is gaining confidence and is also poised in the discus.� The Mountaineers open the season Dec. 3 at the Shell Building with the WVU Holiday Classic, hosting schools from within the state and general region. For the indoor season, the team will make its annual trip to the Penn State Lion Challenge and later on act as hosts for the West Virginia State Farm Games on Jan. 21 and the Blue & Gold Meet on Feb. 11. The outdoor season begins March 16-17 at the Wake Forest Open, followed by the Texas Relays on March 28-31 and the Raleigh Relays March 30-31. Leading up to the championship portion of the outdoor season, the team will compete in national events such as the Stanford Invitational on April 6-7 and the Penn State Relays on April 26-28. The BIG EAST Championships take place May 4-6 and the NCAA East Regional follows on May 24-26. The season will conclude with the NCAA Championships from June 6-9. Coach Sean Cleary
2011-12 TRACK & FIELD SCHEDULE INDOOR Date Dec. 3 Jan. 14 Jan. 21 Jan. 27-28 Feb. 4 Feb. 10 Feb. 18-19 March 2-3 March 9-10
Opponent WVU HOLIDAY CLASSIC PSU Nittany Lion Challenge WVU STATE FARM GAMES PSU National Invitational PSU Sykes Sabock Challenge Cup BLUE-GOLD MEET BIG EAST Indoor Championships Columbia Last Chance Meet NCAA Indoor Championships
Location Morgantown, W.Va. State College, Pa. Morgantown, W.Va. State College, Pa. State College, Pa. Morgantown, W.Va. New York, N.Y. New York, N.Y. Boise, Id.
OUTDOOR Date March 16-17 March 28-31 March 30-31 April 6-7 April 13-14 April 19-21 April 20-21 April 26-28 April 27-28 May 4-6 May 14 May 24-26 June 8-11
Opponent Wake Forest Open Texas Relays Raleigh Relays Stanford Invitational Jesse Owens Classic Mt. Sac Relays Princeton Larry Ellis Invitational Penn Relays Ashland Alumni Invitational BIG EAST Championships Swarthmore Last Chance NCAA East Regional NCAA Championships
Location Winston-Salem, N.C. Austin, Texas Raleigh, N.C. Palo Alto, Calif. Columbus, Ohio Walnut, Calif. Princeton, N.J. Philadelphia, Pa. Ashland, Ohio Tampa, Fla. Swarthmore, Pa. Jacksonville, Fla. Ames, Iowa
Terina Miller
52 [ WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY ]
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[ 2011-12 TRACK & FIELD ] 53
Season Review
[ ncaa top 20 indoor and outdoor finishes ]
Sarah Anne-Brault
Recognized as one of the premier track and field programs in the country over the last two decades, the 2010-11 WVU squad was able to continue the trend on its way to one of the most successful seasons the program has experienced. “It was one of the greatest years in West Virginia track and field history,” said WVU coach Sean Cleary. “We came in second in BIG EAST, we had more regional qualifiers than we’ve ever had and we enjoyed another Top-20 finish at the indoor and outdoor national meets. I’m absolutely thrilled from the accomplishments of this past season. Having eight All-Americans between indoor and outdoor track? Amazing.” For a fourth consecutive season, the program enjoyed Top-20 national finishes in both indoor and outdoor track, arriving in 20th place at the NCAA Outdoor Championships and 18th place at the NCAA Indoor Championships. To accomplish the feat, a total of 13 All-American performances were turned
54 [ WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY ]
in throughout the year by eight athletes, the most in program history. At the regional level, West Virginia continued to exceed expectations as 12 athletes were sent to the NCAA East Regional, tied for school-best. Of the 12, eight advanced to nationals, helping coach Cleary to earn the rank of NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional Coach of the Year. The Mountaineers also achieved success at the conference level with a program-best second place finish at the BIG EAST Championships as eight WVU athletes were crowned BIG EAST champions. For the achievement, coach Cleary and his staff was given the BIG EAST Coaching Staff of the Year award. At the BIG EAST Championships, five individual league titles were earned and WVU scored in a school-record 13 of 21 events. “We exceeded expectations and almost won the BIG EAST,” Cleary said. “I thought our group that went to the BIG EAST Championships knocked it out of the park. Very
few thought we would be able to score 107 points. That’s why we won the BIG EAST Staff of the Year award. It was unexpected to do as well as we did. “My jumps coach, Shelly Gallimore, is probably the coach of the year in her area. Sprinters coach Marty Pushkin did a wonderful job, too. Every area was getting it done.” Six-time All-American Chelsea Carrier put together another outstanding season as she broke school records in the 60-meter hurdles, pentathlon, 100-meter hurdles and heptathlon en route to being named the Mid-Atlantic Women’s Field Athlete of the Year for the second time of her career. The Buckhannon, W.Va., native was named BIG EAST Athlete of the Week three times throughout the indoor and outdoor season and proved her mettle with first-place marks at the BIG EAST Championships in the long jump, 100-meter hurdles and 400-meter hurdles. She was also named the Most Outstanding Field Athlete at the BIG EAST Indoor Championships. Following the NCAA Outdoor Championships, Carrier competed at the USA Track and Field Championships and placed 16th in the semifinals of the 100-meter hurdles in 13.04 seconds. “Chelsea Carrier is one of the premier track and field athletes in the country,” Cleary said. “It used to be just the BIG EAST, but she’s now one of the bigger names for the sport in the country. She just does things. Coming in third place in the heptathlon at the national championships, her highest finish at the event, was very impressive. She’s as big of a name as any athlete at WVU - she’s amazing.” Senior April Rotilio finished a superb WVU career with a third team All-America performance in the 400-meter dash at the NCAA Outdoor Championships, placing 19th in 53.47 seconds. To qualify for nationals, she came in 10th place in the 400-meter at the NCAA East Regional. At the BIG EAST Championships, the Bellaire, Ohio, native finished first in the 400-meter dash, the first time a Mountaineer had won the league race for the event since Tameca Williams accomplished the feat in 2000. Her 52.71-second mark in the race was also a career-best, ranking ninth nationally. “April Rotilio is the fastest 400-meter runner in the history of WVU,” Cleary said. “Rotilio and Carrier carried the team on their shoulders. Rotilio was out of this world and
Season Review
[ ncaa top 20 indoor and outdoor finishes ] absolutely my team captain. She’s a cheerleader, loud, motivating, and brings a football mentality to track while being loving and caring. She smashed our school record in the 400-meter. This was all during her first year of physical therapy school. We’re ecstatic for what she did with her opportunities here.” Redshirt junior Kate Harrison earned first team All-America in the 10,000-meter with her second-place mark in 34:30.35 at the NCAA Outdoor Championships. To reach the NCAAs, she won the 10,000-meter at the NCAA East Regional in a personal-best 33:48.64. The Toronto, Ontario, native preceded that with her first BIG EAST title for the event in 33:59.84. “Kate Harrison’s first-place regional finish and second-place national finish was just huge,” Cleary said. “She’s a quiet giant – she just goes out and does her work. After participating at the World Cross Country Championships, her mind didn’t see competition the same way, and that helped her out a lot at the outdoor championships. Nobody in the country thought she could pull off a secondplace finish in the outdoor 10k. The faith we had in her to allow her to do things a little
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Katelyn Williams
differently was the best move for her future, and I’m convinced that the backbone of our training is that if we take care of them, they’ll take care of us.” Senior Katelyn Williams finished a stellar outdoor career with a third team All-America
performance in the high jump by finishing 18th at the outdoor championships at 1.76 meters. At BIG EAST, the Chesterland, Ohio, native placed second in the high jump at 1.78 meters and third in the heptathlon at 5,044 points. Nine-time All-American Keri Bland, one of the most decorated athletes in the history of WVU, finished her career with an 18thplace mark at the outdoor championships in the 1,500-meter run, earning third team All-America honors. “Keri Bland earned the most All-America awards in school history,” Cleary said. “She was a small-town girl, but left as one of the most prolific distance runners in school history and one of the big names in NCAA running. I’m sad the world couldn’t see what she could have done because of her foot problem. She never complained or made excuses. Now our job is to get her foot fixed and prepare her for a professional career.” Jessica O’Connell earned third team All-America in the 3,000-meter at the NCAA Indoor Championships with her 16th-place finish. WVU also excelled in classwork as three team members were named to the Capital One Academic all-district first team and 20 athletes were named BIG EAST Academic AllStars.
Chelsea Carrier
[ 2011-12 TRACK & FIELD ] 55
Season Review
[ ncaa top 20 indoor and outdoor finishes ]
Chelsea Carrier
ChenĂŞ Townsend
56 [ WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY ]
Keri Bland
Kate Harrison
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[ 2011-12 TRACK & FIELD ] 57
Record Book
[ all-time indoor records ] Event 55 meters 60 meters 55m Hurdles 60m Hurdles 200 meters 200m Hurdles 300 meters 400 meters 500 meters 600 meters 800 meters 1,000 meters Mile 3,000 meters 5,000 meters 4x200 Relay 4x400 Relay 4x800 Relay DMR Long Jump High Jump Triple Jump Pole Vault Shot Put Pentathlon FAT - fully automatic time
Holder Tammy Henderson Stacian Brown Pat Itanyi Chelsea Carrier Stacian Brown Jeanna Johnson Tammy Henderson April Rotilio Connie Ellerbe Kelly Austin Kate Vermeulen Kate Vermeulen Keri Bland Megan Metcalfe Marie-Louise Asselin Marlene Dawkins, Pat Itanyi, Martina Miller, Jeanna Johnson Maxine Dawkins, Jeanna Johnson, Martina Miller, Tameca Williams Keri Bland, Kaylyn Christopher, Marie-Louise Asselin, Jessica O’Connell Kaylyn Christopher, Karly Hamric, Marie-Louise Asselin, Keri Bland Pat Itanyi Sharon Pfister Christine Brown Erin Nett Jodi Smith Chelsea Carrier
WVU’s 2009 DMR team of Keri Bland, Karly Hamric, April Rotilio and Marie-Louise Asselin
58 [ WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY ]
Record 6.82 FAT 7.34 FAT 7.67 FAT 8.17 FAT 23.67 FAT 27.40 FAT 39.45 FAT 54.29 FAT 1:12.84 FAT 1:35.05 FAT 2:06.42 FAT 2:43.02 FAT 4:34.78 FAT 8:58.17 FAT 15:50.53 FAT 1:38.80 FAT 3:42.84 FAT 8:44.98 FAT 11:05.12 FAT 6.48m 1.78m 13.00m 4.07m 14.80m 4,170 points
Year 1985 1999 1996 2011 1999 1997 1984 2009 1990 1985 1999 1999 2009 2005 2010 1996 1998 2010 2009 1996 1985 2003 2002 1984 2011
Record Book
[ all-time outdoor records ] Event 100 meters 200 meters 400 meters 800 meters 1,500 meters 3,000 meters Steeplechase 5,000 meters 10,000 meters 100 Hurdles 400 Hurdles 4x100 Relay 4x200 Relay 4x400 Relay 4x800 Relay SMR DMR Long Jump High Jump Javelin Shot Put Discus Pole Vault Triple Jump Heptathlon FAT - fully automatic time
Christine Brown
Holder Stacian Brown Maxine Dawkins April Rotilio Jennifer Kemp Megan Metcalfe Megan Metcalfe Susan Davis Megan Metcalfe Clara Grandt Chelsea Carrier Connie Ellerbe Keisha Miller, Tameca Williams, Zane Francis, Stacian Brown Amanda Valentine, Maxine Dawkins, Jeanna Johnson, Marlene Dawkins Maxine Dawkins, Jeanna Johnson, Martina Miller, Tameca Williams Karly Hamric, Keri Bland, Jessica O’Connell, Kaylyn Christopher Stacian Brown, Tameca Williams, Amanda Valentine, Rebecca Stallwood Keri Bland, Abbie Stechschulte, Raeleen Hunter, Marie-Louis Asselin Pat Itanyi Althea Moody Jodi Smith Jodi Smith Jodi Smith Erin Nett Christine Brown Chelsea Carrier
Record 11.36 FAT 23.36 FAT 52.71 FAT 2:05.09 FAT 4:12.00 FAT 9:04.02 FAT 10:25.93 FAT 15:47.64 FAT 33:45.16 FAT 12.97 FAT 55.87 FAT 44.28 FAT 1:34.55 FAT 3:36.58 FAT 8:47.95 FAT 3:54.62 FAT 11:24.76 FAT 6.74m 1.83m 47.98m 14.22m 50.26m 4.00m 12.95m 5,927 points
Year 1999 1996 2011 2002 2003 2004 2005 2005 2009 2011 1992 1999 1996 1998 2010 2000 2007 1995 1990 1984 1984 1984 2002 2002 2011
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Clara Grandt
[ 2011-12 TRACK & FIELD ] 59
Record Book
[ indoor top five records ] 60 Meters 1. Stacian Brown 2. Jessica Czaikowski 3. Ciara Chic 4. Chelsea Carrier 5. Sabrina Cox
7.34 7.49 7.54 7.56 7.58
1999 2007 2003 2011 2000
3,000 Meters 1. Megan Metcalfe 2. Jessica O’Connell 3. Marie-Louise Asselin 4. Rebecca Stallwood 5. Kaylyn Christopher
8:58.17 9:14.12 9:14.44 9:26.81 9:27.16
2005 2011 2008 2002 2011
60 Hurdles 1. Chelsea Carrier 2. Stacian Brown 3. Jessica Czaikowski 4. Pat Itanyi 5. Abbie Stechschulte
8.08 8.22 8.23 8.42 8.63
2011 1999 2005 1996 2007
5,000 Meters 1. Marie-Louise Asselin 2. Clara Grandt 3. Sarah-Anne Brault 4. Tara Struyk 5. Rebecca Stallwood
15:50.53 16:04.24 16:17.95 16:22.44 16:25.03
2010 2010 2011 2004 2002
200 Meters 1. Stacian Brown 2. Maxine Dawkins 3. Marlene Dawkins 4. Tammy Henderson 5. April Rotilio
23.63 23.78 23.80 24.12 24.17
1999 1998 1997 1984 2009
Long Jump 1. Pat Itanyi 2. Christine Brown 3. Chelsea Carrier 4. Abbie Stechschulte 5. Meghan Mock
6.48m 6.21m 6.10m 5.92m 5.86m
1996 2003 2010 2007 2011
400 Meters 1. April Rotilio 2. Tameca Williams 3. Kristy Beans 4. Connie Ellerbe 5. Claudette Rodgers
54.29 54.79 55.09 55.18 55.24
2009 1998 1992 1991 1989
Shot Put 1. Jodi Smith 2. LaShawna Black 3. Abbie Stechschulte 4. Michelle McGinnis 5. Becky Gorby
14.80m 13.10m 12.83m 12.53m 12.37m
1984 2008 2007 2003 1984
500 Meters 1. Connie Ellerbe 2. Pamela Richardson 3. Tamara Stoner 4. Holly Workman 5. Aileen Smith
1:12.84 1:12.93 1:14.35 1:14.42 1:14.56
1990 2005 1995 1986 2001
800 Meters 1. Kate Vermeulen 2. Keri Bland 3. Aileen Smith 4. Jennifer Kemp 5. Merissa Sexsmith
2:06.42 2:06.72 2:08.81 2:09.55 2:09.98
1999 2009 2001 2005 2000
1,000 Meters 1. Kate Vermeulen 2. Kaylyn Christopher 3. Karly Hamric 4. Megan Metcalfe 5. Merissa Sexsmith
2:43.01 2:45.56 2:46.03 2:46.78 2:47.48
1999 2011 2010 2004 2000
Mile 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
4:34.78 4:35.89 4:38.55 4:39.05 4:40.78 4:42.08
2009 2004 2010 1999 2010 2000
Keri Bland Megan Metcalfe Karly Hamric Kate Vermeulen Kaylyn Christopher Merissa Sexsmith
Jennifer Davis
60 [ WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY ]
Record Book
[ indoor top five records ] Pole Vault 1. Erin Nett 2. Alex Acker 3. Kristen Loughry 4. Jen Hell Erika Graziani 6. Maggie Smith Mary Beth Held
4.07m 3.87m 3.80m 3.66m 3.66m 3.60m 3.60m
2001 2009 2008 2002 2001 2008 2002
High Jump 1. Sharon Pfister 2. Katelyn Williams 3. Nancy Regalbuto Alethea Moody 5. Pat Itanyi
1.78m 1.75m 1.74m 1.74m 1.73m
1985 2010 2005 1988 1997
Triple Jump 1. Christine Brown 2. Tessie Palmer 3. Randi Bell 4. Alexis Noel 5. Natalie Barnes
12.52m 12.20m 11.81m 11.73m 11.48m
2001 1989 1986 2007 1998
Pentathlon 1. Chelsea Carrier 2. Pat Itanyi 3. Abbie Stechschulte 4. Chelsea Carrier 5. Sharon Pfister 6. Melinda Case
4,170 4,111 4,016 3,967 3,817 3,430
2011 1997 Karly Hamric 2007 2009 1986 Distance Medley Relay 1986 1. Kaylyn Christopher, April Rotilio, Karly Hamric, Keri Bland 11:05.12 2. Marie-Louise Asselin, April Rotilio, Karly Hamric, Keri Bland 1984 11:07.64 2008 3. Keri Bland, April Rotilio, Kaylyn Christopher, Jessica O’Connell 2007 11:09.28 2003 4. Kaylyn Christopher, April Rotilio, Karly Hamric, Keri Bland 1984 11:11.33 5. Pam Richardson, Ailene Smith, Jennifer Kemp, Megan Metcalfe 11:11.98 2010 2011 DMR Splits 800 2004 1. Jennifer Kemp 2:05.75 2011 2. Aileen Smith 2:07.89 2002 3. Merissa Sexsmith 2:08.50
Shot Put 1. Jodi Smith 2. LaShawna Black 3. Abbie Stechschulte 4. Michelle McGinnis 5. Becky Gorby
14.80m 13.10m 12.83m 12.53m 12.37m
Weight Throw 1. Terina Miller 2. Heather Adams 3. Michele McGinnis 4. Brittney Thomas 5. Marissa Smith
16.19m 15.27m 15.05m 14.18m 14.03m
4x800m Relay 1. Keri Bland, Kaylyn Christopher, Marie-Louise Asselin, Jessica O’Connell 8:44.98 2010 2. Merissa Sexsmith, Ailene Smith, Rebecca Stallwood, Jennifer Davis 8:50.10 2002 3. Karly Hamric, Kaylyn Christopher, Alison Spiker, Keri Bland 8:51.55 2009 4. Jennifer Kemp, Rebecca Stallwood, Jennifer Davis, Ailene Smith 8:52.44 2002 5. Jennifer Kemp, Rebecca Stallwood, Jennifer Davis, Merissa Sexsmith 8:52.59 2002
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2009 2008 2010 2009 2003
2:08.89
2005 2003 2002 2009
DMR Splits 1200 1. Megan Metcalfe 2. Rebecca Stallwood 3. Marie-Louise Asselin 4. Keri Bland 5. Kaylyn Christopher
3:21.85 3:23.20 3:23.90 3:25.84 3:25.90
2004 2002 2008 2010 2009
DMR Splits 1600 1. Megan Metcalfe 2. Keri Bland 3. Kate Vermeulen 4. Jennifer Davis 5. Marie-Louise Asselin
4:33.50 4:35.94 4:36.15 4:39.50 4:39.60
2003 2008 1999 2005 2008
4.
Karly Hamric
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Record Book
[ outdoor top five records ] 100 Meters 1. Stacian Brown 2. Kay Iheagwam 3. Maxine Dawkins 4. Tammy Henderson 5. Trinese Summerlin
11.36 11.51 11.54 11.55 11.61
1999 1995 1998 1983 1994
100 Meter Hurdles 1. Chelsea Carrier 2. Pat Itanyi 3. Jessica Czaikowski 4. Stacian Brown 5. Abbie Stechschulte
12.97 13.20 13.27 13.29 13.85
2011 1995 2007 1999 2007
200 Meters 1. Maxine Dawkins 2. Tammy Henderson 3. Kay Iheagwam Tameca Williams 5. Stacian Brown
23.44 23.54 23.56 23.56 23.61
1998 1984 1995 1998 1999
400 Meters 1. April Rotilio 2. Tameca Williams 3. Holly Workman 4. Connie Ellerbe 5. Kristy Beans
52.71 52.92 53.70 54.10 54.35
2011 1999 1987 1988 1992
400 Meter Hurdles 1. Tameca Williams 2. Holly Workman 3. Connie Ellerbe 4. Kristy Beans 5. Tamara Stoner
52.92 53.70 54.10 54.35 54.36
1999 1987 1988 1992 1995
800 Meters 1. Jennifer Kemp 2. Keri Bland 3. Raeleen Hunter 4. Karly Hamric 5. Ailene Smith
2:05.09 2:05.63 2:06.09 2:08.02 2:08.89
2003 2010 2007 2010 2002
1,500 Meters 1. Megan Metcalfe 2. Karly Hamric 3. Keri Bland 4. Jessica O’Connell 5. Jennifer Kemp
4:12.00 4:13.54 4:14.52 4:18.31 4:21.30
2003 2010 2010 2010 2005
3,000 Meters 1. Megan Metcalfe 2. Rebecca Stallwood 3. Marie-Louise Asselin 4. Jennifer Davis 5. Keri Bland
9:04.02 9:23.45 9:26.09 9:33.61 9:34.00
2004 2001 2007 2005 2007
5,000 Meters 1. Megan Metcalfe 2. Marie-Louise Asselin 3. Clara Grandt 4. Rebecca Stallwood 5. Jennifer Davis
15:47.64 15:53.93 16:01.18 16:12.17 16:23.01
2005 2010 2010 2002 2005
62 [ WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY ]
10,000 Meters 1. Clara Grandt 2. Kate Harrison 3. Sarah-Anne Brault 4. Katie Gillespie 5. Marie-Louise Asselin
33:16.96 33:48.64 33:51.14 34:10.60 34:14.54
2009 2011 2011 2011 2009
3,000 Meter Steeplechase 1. Susan Davis 2. Jennifer Davis 3. Alison Spiker 4. Jordan Hamric
10:25.93 10:28.45 10:38.36 10:55.08
2006 2005 2009 2011
Heptathlon 1. Chelsea Carrier 2. Pat Itanyi 3. Abbie Stechschulte 4. Sharon Pfister 5. Melinda Case
5,927 5,647 5,609 5,141 4,523
2011 1997 2007 1986 1987
High Jump 1. Alethea Moody 2. Katelyn Williams 3. Sharon Pfister 4. Nancy Regalbuto Natasha Redman
1.83m 1.79m 1.78m 1.75m 1.75m
1990 2011 1986 2005 2009
Jennifer Kemp
Record Book
[ outdoor top five records ] Pole Vault 1. Erin Nett 2. Kristin Quackenbush 3. Alex Acker 4. Erica Graziani 5. Jen Hall
4.00m 3.86m 3.85m 3.83m 3.82m
2002 1998 2009 1999 2006
Long Jump 1. Pat Itanyi 2. Chelsea Carrier 3. Christine Brown 4. Meghan Mock 5. Abbie Stechshulte
6.74m 6.42m 6.29m 6.17m 6.13m
1995 2011 2002 2011 2007
Triple Jump 1. Christine Brown 2. Tessie Palmer 3. Natalie Barnes 4. Randi Bell 5. Alexis Noel
12.95m 12.45m 11.97m 11.81m 11.79m
2002 1991 1996 1986 2008
Javelin 1. Jodi Smith 2. Lindsey Clark 3. Kristen Snyder 4. Pat Itanyi 5. Kristen Snyder
47.99m 43.09m 41.82m 40.00m 38.74m
1984 2006 1997 1995 1998
Discus 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
50.26m 42.31m 41.22m 39.39m 39.37m
1984 2010 2011 1987 2005
52.60m 45.46m 42.51m 42.10m 40.01m
2011 2011 2006 2011 2011
Jodi Smith Brittany Fink Heather Adams Becky Gorby Beth Hummel
Hammer 1. Terina Miller 2. Heather Adams 3. Michele McGinnis 4. Brittney Thomas 4. Alanna Pritts
coaches athletes preview review records wvu media
Megan Metcalfe 4. Amanda Valentine, Maxine Dawkins, Jeanna Johnson, Marlene Dawkins 1:36.40 1996 5. Amanda Valentine, Pat Itanyi, Tamara Stoner Kay Iheagwam 1:36.94 1995 4x400 Relay 1. Jeanna Johnson, Tameca Williams, Martina Miller, Maxine Dawkins 3:36.58 1998 2. Kristy Beans, Connie Ellerbe, Jennifer Scweizer, Tamara Stoner 3:41.62 1992 3. Jenna Barreto, Chelsea Carrier, Allison Tyree, April Rotilio 3:41.68 2011 4. Amanda Valentine, Kay Iheagwam, Tamara Stoner, Halima Sinceno 3:41.74 1995 5. Jeanna Johnson, Marlene Dawkins, Amanda Valentine, Maxine Dawkins 3:42.38 1996
4x100 Relay 1. Martina Miller, Tameca Williams, Zane Francis, Stacian Brown 44.28 1999 2. Haneefah Norman, Tameca Williams, Zane Francis, Stacian Brown 44.65 1999 3. Maxine Dawkins, Marlene Dawkins, Pat Itanyi, Martina Miller 44.88 1997 4. Jeanna Johnson, Tameca Williams, Martina Miller, Maxine Dawkins 45.27 1998 5. Maxine Dawkins, Pat Itanyi, Amanda Valentine, Marlene Dawkins 45.43 1996
4x800m Relay 1. Karly Hamric, Keri Bland, Jessica O’Connell, Kaylyn Christopher 8:47.95 2010 2. Merissa Sexsmith, Megan Metcalfe, Jennifer Kemp, Jennifer Davis 8:48.07 2003 3. Jennifer Zawaski, Merissa Sexsmith, Rebecca Stallwood, Kecia Herod 8:49.50 1999 4. Jennifer Kemp, Ailene Smith, Jennifer Davis, Megan Metcalfe 8:51.17 2002 5. Jennifer Davis, Jennifer Kemp, Megan Metcalfe, Ailene Smith 8:51.66 2002
4x200 Relay 1. Martina Miller, Tameca Williams, Haneefah Norman, Zane Francis 1:34.55 1999 2. Martina Miller, Maxine Dawkins, Tameca Williams, Jamillah Nock 1:35.41 1998 3. Junique Morris, Jamillah Nock, Shani Boone, Jessica Czaikowski 1:36.37 2006
Distance Medley Relay 1. Kaylyn Christopher, Katelyn Williams, Karly Hamric, Keri Bland 11:19.81 2008 2. Keri Bland, Abbie Stechshulte, Emma Hunter, Marie-Louise Asselin 11:24.76 2007 3. Jennifer Kemp, Stacian Brown, Ailene Smith, Megan Metcalfe 11:33.63 2002
[ 2011-12 TRACK & FIELD ] 63
Record Book
[ mountaineer track records ]
Keri Bland Event 100-meters 200-meters 400-meters 800-meters 1,500-meters 3,000-meters 5,000-meters 10,000-meters 100 Hurdles 400 Hurdles 4x100 Relay 4x200 Relay 4x400 Relay 4x800 Relay Mile Relay 2-Mile Relay DMR SMR Long Jump High Jump Triple Jump Pole Vault Shot Put Discus Javelin Heptathlon
Pat Itanyi Holder Kay Iheagwam (WVU) Debbie Bonner (Pitt) Connie Ellerbe (WVU) Keri Bland (WVU) Keri Bland (WVU) Susie Comer (WVU) Jennifer Colgrove (All.CC) Charlene Burstrom (WVU) Allison Williams (Unat) Connie Ellerbe (WVU) Pitt West Virginia West Virginia West Virginia West Virginia Indiana, Pa. West Virginia West Virginia Pat Itanyi (WVU) Alethea Moody (WVU) Tessie Palmer (WVU) Alex Acker Jodi Reidel (Kent St.) Jodi Smith (WVU) Jodi Smith (WVU) Pat Itanyi (WVU)
64 [ WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY ]
Record 11.51 23.80 54.10 2:07.01 4:27.09 9:47.34 17:06.11 35:00.05 13.38 56.95 46.37 1:37.31 3:43.05 8:57.31 3:49.80 9:33.56 12:14.60 4:06.97 20’6 .5” 5’10” 40’ .75” 3.66m 44’10 .5” 160’5” 157’5” 5647 points
Year 1995 1989 1988 2008 2008 1981 1983 1987 1996 1987 1989 1988 1988 1990 1984 1983 1995 1984 1995 1990 1989 2008 1983 1984 1984 1997
Record Book
[ shell building records ] Event
Holder
Record
55-meters
Tammy Henderson (WVU)
6.82
1985
55 Hurdles
Pat Itanyi (WVU)
7.71
1996
200-meters
Tammy Henderson (WVU)
24.27
1985
300-meters
Janet Dodson (Morgan St.)
37.54
N/A
400-meters
Edna Brown (Temple)
53.59
1983
500-meters
Connie Ellerbe (WVU)
1:12.84
1990
600-meters
Monica Egbuonu (Princ)
1:32.35
1982
800-meters
D.Lamvlelet-McClive (Cor)
2:07.32
1982
1,000-meters
Kate Vermeulen (WVU)
2:48.30
1999
Mile
Megan Metcalfe (WVU)
4:44.00
2003
3,000-meters
Holden (Allegheny)
9:23.10
1992
5,000-meters
Brown (William & Mary)
16:29.50
1993
4x400 Relay
Temple
3:43.19
1982
4x800 Relay
Megan Metcalfe, Rebecca Stallwood, Merissa Sexsmith, Jennifer Kemp (WVU)
9:00.45
2002
Long Jump
Trecia Smith (Pitt)
20’10 .5”
1997
High Jump
Becky Bryan (West Ontario)
5’10”
1994
Triple Jump
Najuma Fletcher (Pitt)
41’2 .5”
1993
Pole Vault
Erin Nett (WVU)
13’1”
2001
Pentathlon
Pat Itanyi (WVU)
4,111
1995
Rebecca Stallwood
Year
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Alex Acker
[ 2011-12 TRACK & FIELD ] 65
Record Book
[ ecac champions ]
Jessica Czaikowski INDOOR Year 2008 2007 2004 2004 2002 2000 2000 2000 1998 1996 1993 1992 1990 1983 1982 OUTDOOR Year 2009 2008 2008 2005 2005 2003 2003 2002 2002 1999 1998 1998 1998 1997 1997 1996 1996 1996 1995 * ECAC meet record
Chelsea Carrier-Eades Name Chelsea Carrier Jessica Czaikowski Megan Metcalfe Tara Struyk Rebecca Stallwood, Ailene Smith, Schavia Felder, Megan Metcalfe Christine Brown Stacian Brown Merissa Sexsmith Kristin Quackenbush Charity Wachera Trinese Summerlin Trinese Summerlin Erin O’Reilly Tammy Henderson Tammy Henderson
Event Time/Distance 60 meter hurdles 8.46 60 meter hurdles 8.36 1,000 meters 2:47.11 5,000 meters 16:22.44 DMR 11:14.25 Triple Jump 12.95m 200 meters 23.95 1,000 meters 2:49.08 Pole Vault 11’8” 5,000 meters 16:39.87 55 meters 6.88 55 meters 6.92 1,000 meters 2:53.01 55 meters 6.89 55 meters 7.02
Name Chelsea Carrier Clara Grandt Keri Bland Jennifer Kemp Jennifer Davis Megan Metcalfe Tara Struyk Stacian Brown Megan Metcalfe Tameca Williams Maxine Dawkins Kristin Quackenbush Maxine Dawkins, Jenna Johnson, Martina Miller, Tameca Williams Pat Itanyi Charity Wachera Maxine Dawkins, Pat Itanyi, Mandy Valentine, Marlene Dawkins Maxine Dawkins Charity Wachera Kay Iheagwam
Event Time/Distance 100 meter hurdles 13:30 10,000 meters 34:15.07* 1,500 meters 4:19.02 800 meters 2:06.33 3,000 meters 9:33.61 1,500 meters 4:21.81 10,000 meters 35:02.44 100 meter hurdles 13.51 3,000 meters 9:20.17 400 meters 52.93 100 meters 11.69 Pole Vault 11’4 1/4” 4x100 meter relay 45.27 100 meter hurdles 13.48 10,000 meters N/A 4x100 meter relay 46.51 100 meters 11.55 10,000 meters 34:43.11 100 meters 11.63
66 [ WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY ]
Record Book
[ all-time coaches/captains ] Year Coach Captains 1978 Linda King None 1979 Linda King None 1980 Linda King None 1981 Linda King None 1982 Linda King None 1983 Pat Nicol None 1984 Kim Kemp Jean England, Kris Kavetski 1985 Kim Kemp Lisa Ayers, Kris Kavetski 1986 Laura Nardelli Karen Carpenter, Lori Smith 1987 Laura Nardelli Charlene Burstrom, Karen Carpenter 1988 Laura Nardelli Charlene Burstrom, Traci Purtell 1989 Laura Nardelli Charlene Burstrom 1990 Laura Nardelli Theresa Papa 1991 Martin Pushkin Vicki Stum 1992 Martin Pushkin None 1993 Martin Pushkin Erin O’Reilly 1994 Martin Pushkin Kerryn Davidson, Joleen Tocci 1995 Martin Pushkin Carisa Brown 1996 Martin Pushkin Heather Bury, Mary Ann Myer 1997 Martin Pushkin Charity Wachera 1998 Martin Pushkin Nancy Knapp, Rebecca Stallwood 1999 Martin Pushkin Rebecca Stallwood, Johanna Fisher 2000 Martin Pushkin Rebecca Stallwood, Johanna Fisher 2001 Martin Pushkin Rebecca Stallwood 2002 Jeff Huntoon Stacian Brown Year Coach Captains 2003 Jeff Huntoon Megan Metcalfe 2004 Jeff Huntoon Tara Struyk 2005 Jeff Huntoon Jennifer Kemp, Pam Richardson 2006 Jeff Huntoon Jessica Czaikowski, Susan Davis 2007 Jeff Huntoon Jessica Czaikowski, Abbie Stechschulte,Halimah Bashir, Alison Spiker 2008 Sean Cleary Halimah Bashir, Alison Spiker 2009 Sean Cleary Alison Spiker, Nicole DeStefano 2010 Sean Cleary Marie-Louise Asselin, Keri Bland, Clara Grandt, Karly Hamric, April Rotilio 2011 Sean Cleary April Rotilio, Chelsea Carrier Total *no dual meets -- all invitational competition
Alison Spiker
Record 1-2 2-0 1-0 2-0 2-1 1-0 1-0 1-0 0-0* 0-0* 0-0* 0-0* 0-0* 0-0* 0-0* 3-4 8-0 11-0 9-2 14-8 0-0* 0-0* 0-0* 0-0* 0-0* Record 0-0* 0-0* 0-0* 0-0* 0-0* 0-0* 0-0* 0-0* 0-0* 56-17
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Dr. Martin Pushkin
[ 2011-12 TRACK & FIELD ] 67
Record Book [ all-americans ]
Connie Ellerbe 1988-89-91-92 As a freshman, she became the first female track and field athlete in school history to earn All-America accolades when she finished seventh in the 400-meter hurdles at the 1988 NCAA Outdoor Championships at Oregon. She again earned All-America honors during her sophomore campaign – finishing ninth in the hurdles at the outdoor meet in Provo, Utah. After redshirting the 1989-90 season, she captured her third All-America honor by finishing fourth in the 400-meter hurdles with a time of 56.60. Ellerbe culminated her brilliant career in 1992 by finishing second in the 400-meter hurdles at the NCAA meet in Austin. She also competed at the U.S. Olympic Trials in 1992 where her fifthplace finish in the 400-meter hurdles is the highest a WVU female track athlete has ever placed and she narrowly missed a spot on the U.S. roster.
Alethea Moody 1990
Kristin Quackenbush 1998 Kristin Quackenbush only participated in track for one season, but she left her mark as one of WVU’s most gifted athletes ever. Quackenbush earned AllAmerica status in the pole vault during the outdoor season. Her mark of 12’1 1/2” was good enough for fourth at the NCAA Championships, and was her third-best effort on the season. Quackenbush also placed 10th at the NCAA Indoor Championships. She captured first place in the BIG EAST and ECAC Championships during both the indoor and outdoor seasons. Quackenbush was only one of three athletes in West Virginia history ever to earn All-America status in two different sports at the time. This 1997 national Gymnast of the Year, excelled in gymnastics at WVU for four years. Her All-American honors in gymnastics include: 1994-9596 floor, 1994 and 96 vault, and 1996 all-around. She was tied for the most individual All-America awards in West Virginia history with former track stars James Jett and Pat Itanyi.
Charity Wachera 1998
Moody earned All-America honors during the 1990 season when she placed sixth in the high jump with a leap of 5’ 11 1/4” at the NCAA Outdoor Championships at Duke. Two weeks earlier, the junior won the high jump at the Penn Relays and at the ECAC Outdoor Championships; her victory at Penn Relays represented the first female WVU winner at the prestigious meet. She finished the season as the No. 1 ranked jumper in the East and was also selected to compete in the Olympic Sports Festival.
Trinese Summerlin 1993 WVU’s third female track All-American, Summerlin placed sixth in the 55-meter dash at the NCAA Indoor Championships in Indianapolis, blazing to a time of 6.85. The honor capped off an indoor season that saw her take top honors in the 55-meter dash at the ECAC Indoor Championships, as well as the Fairfax Indoor Classic and the George Mason Collegiate Invitational.
country All-American.
Pat Itanyi 1995-96-97 Pat Itanyi ended her career at WVU with seven All-America honors and six school records. In 1995, the Ukehe, Nigeria, native culminated a brilliant season by becoming the school’s first female national track champion. During the indoor season, Itanyi placed third in the long jump and fifth in the 55-meter hurdles at the NCAA Indoor Championships at Indianapolis to secure All-America status. At the NCAA Outdoor Championships in Knoxville, Tenn., the sophomore won the long jump with a leap of 22’1”, edging George Mason’s Diane Guthrie-Greshman for the national title. That jump was the 10th longest in NCAA history at that time. Itanyi took her fourth All-America honor in 1996 at the NCAA Indoor Championships by placing fifth in the long jump. To cap off her senior season at WVU, Itanyi brought home three All-America awards in 1997. She placed eighth in the long jump at the NCAA indoor meet in Indianapolis. During the outdoor season, Itanyi notched third in the long jump and fifth in the heptathlon at the NCAA Outdoor Championships at Bloomington, Ind., to once again earn All-America status.
68 [ WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY ]
Pat Itanyi
Charity Wachera was one of WVU’s best distance runners during her career. The Nairobi, Kenya, native earned All-America honors in the 10,000-meters during the outdoor season as she crossed the line with a time of 34:29.64, good enough for a sixth-place finish at the NCAA Championships. She also held two school records. She ran a 16:27.27 in the 5,000-meters and a 34:24.00 in the 10,000-meters during the 1998 outdoor track season, both good enough for first all-time. In 1997, Wachera finished 11th with a time of 17:00 to become WVU’s first female cross
Record Book [ all-americans ]
Kate Vermeulen 1999 Kate Vermeulen will go down as one of the most prolific distance runners in WVU history. Vermeulen took just one year to become the NCAA indoor champion in the mile, setting a then-school record with a time of 4:39.07. She earned All-America honors during the indoor season and joins Pat Itanyi (long jump, 1995), Mike Mosser (1000-yards, 1972) and Megan Metcalfe (5,000-meters, 2005) as one of only four West Virginia track national champions. Vermeulen’s six school records ties Itanyi with the most of any track athlete in the University’s history. During the outdoor season, she captured the 1,500-meters (4:22.89), and managed to run down five throughout the indoor season, which included the 800-meters (2:06.42), the 1000-meters (2:43.01) and the mile (4:39.07). She also anchored the 4x800 relay (8:58.47) and distance medley relay (11:15.50), which both captured school records. She was named Outstanding Track Performer at the BIG EAST Championships and posted the fastest collegiate mile time (4:39.84) during the indoor season.
Merissa Sexsmith 1999-00-01 Sexsmith proved to be a picture of consistency throughout her freshman campaign as she earned All-America honors for her participation on the distance medley relay team, where she ran the 800-meter leg of the relay. This team, made up of Rebecca Stallwood (1,200 meters), Tameca Williams (400 meters) and Kate Vermeulen (mile), became the first relay team to win a BIG EAST Championship (11:15.40) and set the school record during the indoor season with that time. The team placed fifth at the NCAA Indoor Championships. Sexsmith was also a member of the 4x800 relay team that captured a BIG EAST Championship and a school record. Sexsmith became a two-time All-American when the distance medley team came in second at the NCAA Indoor Championships in 2000. She earned her third All-America accolade as a member of the 2001 DMR team.
Tameca Williams 1999-2000 A transfer from Southern University, Williams quickly became West Virginia’s top 400-meter runner. She was part of the distance medley relay team, running the 400-meter leg, that captured the school record (11:15.40) and a BIG EAST Championship during the indoor season. She also holds the school record in the 400-meters outdoor with a time of 52.92. Williams earned her second All-America honor with her membership in the 2000 indoor distance medley relay team. Williams was part of the DMR that finished second at the NCAA Indoor Championships with a time of 11:17.92.
Rebecca Stallwood 1999-2000 Stallwood was a fantastic two-sport athlete for West Virginia’s track and cross country teams for four years. As a freshman, she joined the 1997 women’s cross country team at the NCAA Cross Country Championship and had an equally successful season with the cross country team in 1999, with another NCAA Cross Country Championship appearance. She earned her All-America honors, for her contribution on the distance medley relay team, running the opening 1,200-meter leg. This team captured the BIG EAST Championship and set a school record with a time of 11:15.40. The Burlington, Ontario, Canada, native earned her second All-America honor when the distance medley team finished second at the NCAA Indoor Championships in 2000.
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Christine Brown 1999-2000 An athlete that coaches only dream about, Brown came from Jamaica as a freshman. In her first season, the talented athlete took the U.S. Collegiate track scene by storm. Then after taking a year off to work on her studies, she decided to attend WVU, where in 2000, she went to the NCAA Championships as a top seed. There she earned her All-America honors with a sixthplace finish in the triple jump.
Ailene Smith 2000-2001 Smith earned her All-America honors as part of the second-place distance medley relay team at the 2000 Indoor NCAA Championships. Smith, a transfer from Southern University, was all-BIG EAST as a freshman and made a huge impact on the team’s relays. Smith ran the second leg of the 4x800 relay team that finished fourth at the BIG EAST Indoor Championships in 2000 and finished eighth at the BIG EAST Outdoor Championships in the 800 with a time of 2:11.88. Smith earned her second All-America honor as a member of the 2001 distance medley relay team.
Ciara Chic 2001 Ciara Chic, a Charleston, W.Va., native, was one of the top athletes to come out of West Virginia during the past decade. She earned her All-America honor during her freshman year as a member of the 2001 distance medley relay team, which finished eighth at the 2001 NCAA Indoor Championships.
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Record Book [ all-americans ]
Megan Metcalfe 2001-02-03-04-05 Megan Metcalfe, a nine-time All-American, is one of the most prolific distance runners in Mountaineer women’s track and field history. The Edmonton, Alberta, native earned her first All-America accolade as a member of the 2001 distance medley relay team, which finished in eighth place. Metcalfe’s second All-America award, and first individual, came with a third-place finish in the 3,000-meter at the 2002 NCAA Outdoor Championships in a WVU record time of 9:09.95. Also an outstanding cross country runner, Metcalfe was named the 2000 BIG EAST Freshman of the Year. Her third All-America honor came with a ninth-place finish at the 2002 NCAA Cross Country Championship, making her just the second female cross country All-American in school history and only the fourth Mountaineer to earn All-America honors in two sports. She earned her fourth and fifth All-America accolades in 2003 by finishing fourth in the 3,000-meter at the indoor championships and was a part of the school-record setting distance medley relay team in that same meet. Her sixth and seventh awards came in March of 2004 when she was fifth in the 3,000-meter and again was a member of the DMR team. Metcalfe’s eighth and school-record winning All-America honor came at the 2004 NCAA Cross Country Championships where she recorded a 16th-place overall finish. Metcalfe capped off her brilliant career with a ninth All-America honor and a national championship when she won the 5,000 meters at the 2005 NCAA Outdoor Championships.
Jennifer Davis 2004-2005 Jennifer Davis, a native of Romney, W.Va., earned her first All-America honor as a part of the DMR team that finished fifth at the 2004 NCAA Indoor Championships. The team recorded a time of 11:12.56 en route to a fifth place overall finish. Her second such honor came in the same event at the 2005 NCAA Indoor Championships. The team finished sixth with a time of 11:13.07. Davis currently serves as an assistant coach for the WVU cross country and track teams.
Susan Davis 2005 Susan Davis earned her All-America honor as a member of the WVU distance medley relay squad at the 2005 NCAA Indoor Championships. The Romney, W.Va., native helped the Mountaineers achieve a sixth-place finishing time of 11:13.07.
Jennifer Kemp 2003-04-05 Jennifer Kemp was a three-time All-American as a member of the Mountaineers’ stellar distance medley relay team. The Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, native picked up her first honor in 2003 when she was a part of the school-record quartet that ran 11:11.19 at the NCAA indoor meet. In 2004, she was again a part of the DMR squad that finished fifth. For the third consecutive year, in 2005, Kemp helped the Mountaineer DMR team capture sixth place at NCAA Indoor Championships.
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Pam Richardson 2003-04-05 Pam Richardson was a three-time All-American as a member of the Mountaineer distance medley relay team. The Atco, N.J., native earned her first honor in 2003 as part of the record-setting DMR team that finished fourth in a then school-record time of 11:11.19. She followed that performance by being a part of the 2004 DMR squad that finished fifth at the 2004 NCAA Indoor Championships with a time of 11:12.56. In 2005, Richardson helped the WVU DMR team capture sixth place with a time of 11:13.07.
Abbie Stechschulte 2007 After three years of dedicated work, Abbie Stechschulte finally built herself a name in the track world, showing dominance as a multi-event athlete during the 2007 indoor and outdoor season. As proof, the Columbus Grove, Ohio, native won the 2007 BIG EAST Indoor pentathlon crown and finished sixth at the NCAA Championships, earning her All-America honors. During the 2007 outdoor season, Stechschulte nabbed an Olympic Trials ‘B’ standard at the 80th Annual Texas Relays, scoring 5,609 points in the heptathlon. At the end of her career, she ranked second in the WVU record book for the pentathlon (4,085 points) and the heptathlon (5,609 points).
Marie-Louise Asselin 2008-09-10 One of the most talented and decorated distance runners to ever wear the Old Gold and Blue, as of 2010, Marie-Louise Asselin, a Sarnia, Ontario, native owns seven All-America medals, including three in cross county and four in track. Asselin’s last cross country season, 2009, was one for the record books as she became one of only two WVU runners to earn three All-America honors in the sport. Along with teammate Keri Bland, Asselin achieved the honor as she finished in 31st place (20:43) at the 2009 NCAA Cross Country Championship. The Mountaineers went on to finish sixth, marking the third-consecutive year that WVU finished in the top 10 at the national championships. Asselin also earned all-region honors for the fourth time in her career and all BIG EAST honors for the third time. Her success continued into the track season as she posted a second-place finish in the 5,000-meter race at the NCAA Indoor Championships (15:50.53) and a second-place finish in the 5,000 meter at the NCAA Outdoor Championships (15:53.93). In 2008, she led WVU to its most successful season in school history, as the Mountaineers took a historic fourth-place finish at the NCAA Championship, first at the NCAA all-Mid-Atlantic Regionals and second at the BIG EAST Championship. Asselin became the first BIG EAST Women’s Cross Country Individual Champion in 2008, as she took the top spot with a time of 20:10. She then placed 17th at the NCAA Championship race with a time of 20:27 to earn her second consecutive All-American honor. She earned her first All-American title in 2007 as the Mountaineers captured their first BIG EAST Championship and finished ninth in the country. Even though she was just a sophomore at the time, Asselin became WVU’s third All-American in the sport when she finished 17th (14th in the team standings) with a time of 20:39 at the 2007 NCAA Championship. It was a fitting ending to an outstanding season that saw her post the team’s highest finish in the final five meets. Asselin showed glimpses of her abilities just weeks earlier at the BIG EAST Championship where she took second and at the NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional race, where she placed third in leading her team to an overall second-place finish.
Record Book [ all-americans ]
Asselin, an all-BIG EAST and all-Mid-Atlantic region selection, was joined by Bland as an All-American, marking the first time in program history that two teammates earned the honor in the same season. In the 2008 indoor season, Asselin went on to place seventh in the 3,000-meter to earn All-America honors and was on the All-America distance medley relay team that took fourth at nationals.
Keri Bland 2008-09-10-11 Keri Bland, a nine-time All-American, continued to leave her name in the WVU record books as the most decorated athlete in WVU track and field history. In 2011, Bland earned third-team All-America honors in the 1,500-meter run with an 18th-place finish at the NCAA Outdoor Championships with a time of 4:24. She aided the Mountaineers to a sixth-place finish at the 2009 NCAA Cross Country Championships, marking the third-straight year WVU finished in the nation’s top 10. Bland, along with teammate MarieLouise Asselin, became the only Mountaineers in school history to earn All-America honors for three seasons in cross county, as she finished 34th (20:45). The Fairview, W.Va., native earned two All-America honors in the 2009 indoor track season, as she placed eighth in the mile and was a part of the distance medley relay team. Bland continued to dominate in the outdoor season, as she earned her fourth honor of the year by virtue of finishing as one of the top U.S. citizens in the 1,500-meter race, marking the second time she earned honors in all three seasons (cross county, indoor track and outdoor track). Bland was an essential part of the Mountaineers team in 2008, when she led WVU to its most successful season in school history as the squad placed fourth at the NCAA Championship, first at the NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regionals and second at the BIG EAST Championship. She was the first Mountaineer to finish at the NCAA Championship, where she finished 14th with a time of 20:20. In 2007, Bland and Asselin helped guide the Mountaineers to their first conference title and the highest finish at nationals in school history (ninth) in 2007. At nationals, Bland was the second Mountaineer to cross the line in 23rd at 20:58. Bland, along with Asselin, was named a first team All-American, marking the first time WVU’s cross country program had multiple All-Americans in the same year. Bland earned all-BIG EAST and all-Mid-Atlantic region accolades during the season after finishing fourth and seventh, respectively, in those races. In the 2008 indoor track season, Bland was a part of the All-America distance medley team that set a school record and placed fourth in the country. She finished the 2008 outdoor season by earning All-America honors in the 1,500-meters to become the first female in WVU history to earn All-America honors in three sports in the same year.
Karly Hamric 2008, 2010
the 1,500-meter.
April Rotilio 2008, 2010, 2011
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April Rotilio earned her third All-America honor in 2011 with a 19th-place finish in the 400-meter dash at the NCAA Outdoor Championships in 53.47 seconds. She qualified for NCAAs with a 10th-place finish in the 400-meter at the NCAA East Regional in 53.31 seconds. Rotilio earned her best 400-meter time of the year at the BIG EAST Championships, finishing in 52.71 seconds in first place and became the first Mountaineer since Tameca Williams in 2000 to win the event. Academically, she capped her career with third team CoSIDA Academic All-America honors and was named to the Capital One Academic all-district first team. Rotilio captured her second All-America honor in 2010 as she once again aided the distance medley relay team (Rotilio, Keri Bland, Kaylyn Christopher and Jessica O’Connell) to an eighth-place showing (11:16.39) at the NCAA Indoor Championships in Fayetteville, Ark. In 2008, Rotilio earned her first honor as she ran the 400-meter leg of the DMR at the NCAA Indoor Championships, helping lead the Mountaineer unit to a fourth-place finish. The Bellaire, Ohio, native ran the 400-meter split in 55.14. The group, who set a new school record with a time of 11:07.64, featured Marie-Louise Asselin, Keri Bland and Karly Hamric.
Clara Grandt 2009 Clara Grandt saved the best for last as she posted the finest season of her career and earned her first All-America honor in cross country. The West Union, W.Va., native led the team to a sixth-place finish at the 2009 NCAA Championship, the first Mountaineer to cross the line in 13th place overall. Grandt also earned all-region and all-BIG EAST honors and was named BIG EAST Cross Country Athlete of the Week on Sept. 24, for her efforts in the Midwest Open. There she crossed the line in 17:00.1, 19 seconds before Louisville’s Tarah McKay (17:19.4), for the fastest course time in over 20 years. In the track season, Grandt earned her second honor of the year by virtue of finishing as one of the top U.S. citizens in the 5,000-meter race at the 2010 NCAA Indoor Championships. She then capped off her final season as a Mountaineer with a fourth-place showing in the 10,000-meter race at the outdoor championships, giving her four total AllAmerica honors. Grandt became WVU’s 24th track and field All-American as she earned the honors with a fourth-place showing in the 10,000-meter finals at the NCAA Championship in 2009. Grandt started off the race behind the lead pack before finding her stride around the 6,000-meter mark. The junior closed the gap, and finished with a time of 33:45.16.
Kaylyn Christopher 2010
Bruceton Mills, W.Va., native Karly Hamric capped off an excellent career in 2010 as she earned her second All-America honor with a sixth-place finish in the 1,500-meter run (4:17.78) at the NCAA Outdoor Championships. Hamric’s first honor came when she ran the 800-meter leg of the distance medley relay at the 2008 NCAA Indoor Championships to help the unit earn All-America honors. Hamric’s 800-meter split was 2:10.82, as the DMR finished fourth with a school record time of 11:07.64. Hamric was joined by Marie-Louise Asselin, Keri Bland and April Rotilio on the squad. Owns a persona-best time of 4:23.54 in of 4:40.78 in the mile.
Kaylyn Christopher, a native of Kingwood, W.Va., received her first and second All-America honors in 2010, by virtue of finishing as one of the top U.S. citizens in the mile, and as a member of the distance medley relay team at the NCAA Indoor Championships. Christopher captured her first honor with a 12th-place finish in the mile with a time of 4:46, to finish as one of the top eight Americans in the race. Later in the day, she returned to aid the DMR team (Christopher, Keri Bland, Jessica O’Connell and April Rotilio) to an eighthplace showing (11:16.39). Owns a personal-best time
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Record Book [ all-americans ]
Jessica O’Connell 2010-2011 Another name to be added to the list of great WVU distance runners, Jessica O’Connell earned her first All-America honors as a member of the distance medley relay team (O’Connell, Kaylyn Christopher, Keri Bland and April Rotilio) that finished in eighth place (11:16.39) at the 2010 NCAA Indoor Championships in Fayetteville, Ark. The Calgary, Alberta, native also was a vital asset in the NCAA Outdoor Regionals in 1,500-meter race, but was tripped on the last leg. O’Connell still managed to finish in 10th place in the semifinals (4:30.05). She is also a NCAA qualifier in the 3,000-meter race after running a lifetime best of 9:16.22 at the NY Fast Times Invitational and went on to win the North American Championships in the 5,000-meter that summer. Her second All-America honor came in the 3,000-meter at the 2011 NCAA Indoor Championships, when she finished in 16th place to earn second team All-America honors. To qualify for NCAAs, O’Connell earned her first ever BIG EAST title in the 3,000-meter with a time of 9:21.09
Chelsea Carrier-Eades 2010, 2011 Chelsea Carrier, a six-time All-American before her senior year, has left her name in the WVU record books as one of the greatest track athletes in school history. In 2010, Carrier, a Buckhannon, W.Va., native earned her first and second All-America honors at the NCAA Indoor Championships in Fayetteville, Ark. Her first honor came after a fourth-place showing in the pentathlon. Carrier finished with one of her best performances with 4,133 total points. Later in the day, Carrier earned her second honor with a sixthplace finish in the 60-meter hurdles (8.29). Earlier in the season, Carrier was named Mid-Atlantic Field Athlete of the Year after earning two BIG EAST Champion honors and breaking the school record in the pentathlon at the SykesSabock Challenge on Feb. 5. Carrier won the event with 4,136 points to break the school record previously set by All-American Pat Itanyi in 1997 (4,111). In 2011, Carrier earned first team All-America honors in the heptathlon after placing third with 5,761 points and also earned third team All-America in the 100-meter hurdles after placing 19th in 13.56 seconds. She was named the Mid-Atlantic Field Athlete of the Year, and before that earned three individual BIG EAST titles in the long jump, 100-meter hurdles and 400-meter hurdles. During the indoor season, Carrier earned All-America in the 60-meter hurdles with a fourth-place finish in 8.08 seconds, beating her personal record of 8.15 seconds. She notched another All-American award in the pentathlon with a fifth-place finish with 4,128 points, her second All-America award in the pentathlon. Her junior campaign saw her break the school records in the 60-meter hurdles, pentathlon, 100-meter hurdles and the heptathlon. She also participated at the USA Track and Field Championships following the season, finishing in 16th in the semifinals round in a time of 13.04 seconds.
Kate Harrison 2011 Kate Harrison earned her first All-America honor as a track and field athlete at the 2011 NCAA Outdoor Championships where she was first team All-America in the 10,000-meter run by way of a second-place finish in 34:30.35. She qualified for NCAAs with a firstplace finish for the event at the NCAA East Regional in 33:48.64, a personal best for the Toronto, Ontario, native. The championship season began well for No. 16-ranked Harrison as she earned her first BIG EAST title in the 10,000 with a time of 33:59.84, her best mark of the year at the time. Harrison also earned her first All-America honor during the 2011 cross country season with an eighth-place individual finish at the NCAA Championship.
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Sarah-Anne Brault 2011 Sarah-Anne Brault earned her first All-America honor in 2011 with a second team All-America achievement in the 10,000-meter run as she finished in 10th place in 35:05.36. To qualify for NCAAs, the Winnipeg, Manitoba, native placed sixth in the 10,000 at the NCAA East Regional with a time of 33:51.14, her best mark of the year for the event. Brault earned a second-place finish in 34:04.63 in the 10,000-meter at the BIG EAST Championships and a solid 10th place in the 1,500-meter race in 4:35.07 at the prestigious Jesse Owens Classic. During the indoor season, Brault finished fourth in the 5,000-meter run in 16:17.95 at the BIG EAST Championships. She also excelled academically by earning second team CoSIDA Academic All-America honors and was named to the Capital One Academic all-district first team.
Meghan Mock 2011 Meghan Mock capped off a stellar junior season by finishing with third team All-America honors in the long jump at the NCAA Outdoor Championships with a distance of 6.02 meters, good for 20th place among the nation’s elite jumpers. The Berkeley Springs, W.Va., native qualified for the NCAAs for the first time of her career by placing 11th in the long jump at the NCAA East Regional at a distance of 6.07 meters. Mock began the championship portion of the season well with an eighth-place mark for the event at 5.81 meters, advancing to the East regional for the first time. Her junior year was enhanced with a first-place finish in the long jump with a 6.17-meter mark at the Penn Relays, a personal-best and currently ranks third all-time at WVU. At the prestigious Stanford Invitational, she placed fourth in the long jump at 5.70 meters. During the indoor season, Mock finished fourth at the BIG EAST Championships at a distance of 5.86 meters.
Katelyn Williams 2011 Katelyn Williams earned third team All-America honors in the high jump with an 18th-place height of 1.76 meters at the NCAA Outdoor Championships. To earn her second trip to NCAAs, the Chesterland, Ohio, native placed ninth at the NCAA East Regional, also at a height of 1.78 meters. She started the outdoor championship season well at the BIG EAST Championships with a second-place finish in the high jump at 1.78 meters and placed third in the heptathlon with 5,044 points. In the heptathlon, she finished first in the high jump with a career-best 1.79-meter height, and had solid finishes in the shot put (3rd, 11.09m) and javelin (4th, 29.30m). At the prestigious Jesse Owens Classic, Williams placed third at 1.70 meters. Her indoor season was highlighted with a fourth-place finish in the long jump at 5.08 meters at the WVU Holiday Classic.
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[ 2011-12 TRACK & FIELD ] 73
Dr. James P. Clements [ president ]
WVU’s First Family, standing from left: Jim, Beth and Tyler Clements. In rockers, from left: twins Hannah and Maggie. Seated on lawn: Grace. James P. Clements has said that no university in the country means more to its state than West Virginia University means to West Virginia. Since becoming WVU’s 23rd president on June 30, 2009, Dr. Clements has focused on expanding the University’s role as a 21st century land-grant institution. With a Strategic Framework for the Future now in place, WVU is committed to excelling in five key areas: academic excellence, research and innovation, diversity, global engagement, and enhancing the well-being and quality of life of our citizens. Dr. Clements has announced several initiatives in support of these strategic planning goals, including: adding 100 new faculty members to decrease the student-faculty ratio and support core and niche academic and research curriculums; building a new student health facility to increase wellness efforts; dedicating capital funds to expand outdoor recreational space for students; and increasing research to strengthen the University’s position as an economic engine as well as a leader in fields such as energy, biometrics, and health sciences. Additional priorities are to continue offering world-class health care and – through WVU’s Top-10 nationally ranked Rural Health Program – remain committed to increasing state outreach in the health sciences. To that end, WVU recently announced plans to establish a WVU School for Public Health to train the next generation of public health professionals, conduct high-quality population health
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research, and help the state confront preventable health threats that increase health care costs and shorten lives. Other goals include finding more efficient and effective ways to use technology to drive progress, increasing the diversity of WVU’s learning community and developing an even broader global focus in preparing students for new international opportunities. Other initiatives focus on increasing student retention, increasing WVU’s doctoral program enrollment, enhancing leadership development and increasing operating funds. This momentum has carried over to record gains in enrollment, research, and private giving. Student enrollment across all campuses reached more than 32,000; research contract and grant awards for the past two years averaged an all-time high of $176 million; and annual private giving to WVU reached an all-time high of nearly $100 million this past year. The University was also recognized as among the six percent of institutions in the country that the Carnegie Foundation classifies as highly engaged in service, and as one of the four best flagship universities in the country for access by the Education Trust. In addition to overseeing WVU and its divisional campuses, Dr. Clements chairs the boards of the WVU Research Corporation, the West Virginia United Health System, and the WVU Hospitals. In total, WVU and its affiliates represent a $2.3 billion enterprise and employ more than 18,000 people.
Dr. Clements also serves as an ex-officio member of the WVU Foundation and WVU Alumni Association boards, and is active with national higher education organizations such as the Association of Public Land-Grant Universities and the American Council on Education. Regionally, he is a board member of the National Energy Technology Laboratory Regional University Alliance. He is co-chair of the Economic Development Team of the Power of 32, a visioning initiative across 32 counties in Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. He also co-chaired the WV Higher Education Policy Commission’s Diversity Initiative Council and currently co-chairs the WV Higher Education Policy Commission’s College Completion Task Force, as well as serves on the board of the West Virginia Business Roundtable. On a national level, he was nominated and selected to participate in the 81st Joint Civilian Orientation Conference through the U.S. Department of Defense, and invited by U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke to join a select 15-member Innovation Advisory Board that will guide a study of U.S. economic competitiveness and innovation. Before joining the Mountaineer family, Dr. Clements served as provost and vice president at Towson University, the second-largest public university in Maryland. Under his leadership, Towson developed academic and student support programs that led to impressive increases in enrollment as well as retention and graduation rates. Towson’s externally-funded research increased by 36 percent during Dr. Clements’ tenure as provost. Prior to becoming provost, he served as Towson University’s vice president for economic and community outreach and as the Robert W. Deutsch Distinguished Professor and chair of the Department of Computer and Information Sciences. He was a four-time recipient of Towson’s Faculty Member of the Year Award given by students at the University. Dr. Clements has an academic background in computer science. He earned a B.S. in computer science and an M.S. and Ph.D. in operations analysis from the University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC), as well as an M.S. in computer science from Johns Hopkins University. The fourth edition of his project management textbook was published in four languages and used in multiple countries; the fifth edition was recently released. At WVU, Dr. Clements is a tenured professor in the College of Engineering and Mineral Resources’ Lane Department of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering. In October 2009, he was named UMBC’s Alumnus of the Year in the Engineering and Information Technology category. Jim is married to Beth Clements, and they have four children – Tyler, twin daughters Hannah and Maggie, and Grace.
Oliver Luck
[ director of athletics ]
Former Mountaineer quarterback Oliver Luck is West Virginia’s 11th Director of Athletics. Successful at each of his previous career stops, Oliver Luck looks to continue that streak at West Virginia University. A former Mountaineer quarterback, Luck, appointed the University’s 11th Director of Athletics by President James P. Clements on June 9, 2010, has already made strides in just one year in enhancing WVU’s role as a player in the collegiate world. “Oliver Luck is someone who has succeeded at the highest levels at everything he has done – from his college and professional football playing days to his academic pursuits and his professional business career,” said Clements. “He is the clear choice to carry forward what has truly been a golden era in athletics.” “It’s an incredible honor for me to be appointed as athletic director at my alma mater,” said Luck. “I care deeply about this school. I’ve had an opportunity to serve on the Board of Governors the last couple of years, and it’s given me a tremendous viewpoint of how important intercollegiate athletics is at a land-grant institution like WVU. “WVU is truly one of the outstanding land-grant universities in the country, and I am so pleased to be a part of its momentum and growth. This is a tremendous opportunity - a chance to return to a University and a state that I love at a dynamic and strategic time in its history.” In his first year, Luck has hired four head coaches while maintaining the superior level of success WVU has recently enjoyed. In addition
to new hires, Luck has overseen the progress of major capital projects, such as the WVU basketball practice facility, and fostered an atmosphere for achievement and triumph, in the classroom and on the field. Luck’s athletic and professional career has been the epitome of success, first as a record-setting quarterback for the Mountaineers from 1978-81, then as a professional quarterback for the National Football League’s Houston Oilers, and later as a professional sports executive. Luck’s journey to the big chair at WVU began in his native Cleveland, where in 1977 he was named the Cleveland Touchdown Club Player of the Year at St. Ignatius High. Luck chose WVU over Ivy League schools Harvard and Yale, embarking upon a career that saw him establish school records for touchdown passes and completions during his playing days, while also leading the Mountaineers to a 26-6 upset victory over Florida in the 1981 Peach Bowl. His best season came as a senior in 1981 when he completed 216 of 394 passes for 2,448 yards and 16 touchdowns. He passed for a career-high 360 yards in a 27-24 loss to Syracuse at the Carrier Dome in the final regular-season game of his career. Luck ended his college career with 5,765 yards and 43 touchdown passes, both figures still ranking among the best in school history. Luck was a two-time team MVP in 1980 and 1981, and also received the Louis D. Meisel Award for the WVU football student-athlete
coaches with the highest grade point average. The athletes two-time ESPN The Magazine Academic preview All-American was the recipient of Today’s review Top Five, presented for scholastics records by the NCAA and was selected by the National Football Foundation as one of wvu its 10 scholar-athletes to make a keynote media speech at its annual banquet in 1982. Selected in the second round of the NFL draft by the Houston Oilers (44th overall pick), Luck spent four years with the Oilers from 1982-86. His most extended action came in 1983 when he started six games and finished the season completing 124-of-217 passes for 1,375 yards and eight touchdowns. After retiring from football, Luck became vice president of business development for the NFL and later was appointed general manager of the Frankfurt Galaxy of the newly created World League of American Football. He spent the ’95 season as general manager of the Rhein Fire before being named President and CEO of NFL Europe in 1996. Luck totaled more than 10 years with the NFL, before becoming chief executive officer of the Harris County-Houston Sports Authority in 2001. In that role, Luck oversaw the development and management of a $1 billion professional sports and entertainment complex for the city of Houston that included Minute Maid Park, home of the Houston Astros, Reliant Stadium, home of the Houston Texans, the Toyota Center, home of the Houston Rockets, Comets and Aeros and the Livestock Show and Rodeo. In 2005, Luck was appointed as the first president of Major League Soccer’s Houston Dynamos, helping that organization to a pair of MLS Cup titles in his first two years at the helm. Luck was in the midst of securing the funding for an $80 million soccer complex to house the Dynamos when the call came to return to his alma mater. Prior to his current position at WVU, Luck was appointed by Gov. Joe Manchin in 2008 to a four-year term on the West Virginia University Board of Governors, a spot he relinquished to become director of athletics. The Rhodes Scholar finalist graduated Phi Betta Kappa from WVU in 1982. He also earned a law degree from Texas, graduating cum laude in 1987. In 1997, Luck was inducted into the West Virginia University Sports Hall of Fame, and in 2008, he was inducted into the CoSIDA Academic All-America Hall of Fame. He is married to the former Kathy Wilson. They have two sons and two daughters: Andrew, an All-American quarterback and Heisman Trophy finalist at Stanford; Mary Ellen, a sophomore volleyball player at Stanford; Emily and Addison.
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Senior Staff
[ athletic department personnel ] Mike Parsons
Deputy Director of Athletics
Matt Borman
Assistant AD, Executive Director of the MAC
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Keli Cunningham
Terri Howes
Associate AD Compliance & Governance
Associate AD Sports Development, SWA
Michael Fragale
Michael Szul
Assistant AD Communications
Associate AD Business Operations
Head Coaches
[ wvu fields 17 varsity programs ] Jason Butts
Gymnastics
Dana Holgorsen
Football
Jill Kramer
Volleyball
Craig Turnbull
Wrestling
Mike Carey
Women’s Basketball
Bob Huggins
Men’s Basketball
Marlon LeBlanc
Men’s Soccer
Greg Van Zant
Baseball
Sean Cleary
Cross Country Track & Field
Nikki Izzo-Brown
Women’s Soccer
Vic Riggs
Men’s and Women’s Swimming & Diving
Jon Hammond
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Rifle
Jimmy King
Rowing
Tina Samara
Tennis
WVU had its fourth straight Top 50 finish in the Director’s Cup in 2010-11 [ 2011-12 TRACK & FIELD ] 77
Athletic Facilities
[ train and compete like a champion ]
Milan Puskar Stadium at Mountaineer Field
Caperton Indoor Facility
Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium
Hawley Field
Cary Gym
WVU Wrestling Pavilion
Mountaineer Track
WVU Rifle Range
WVU Boathouse
WVU Coliseum
Mountaineer Tennis Courts
WVU Natatorium
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Media Information
[ when covering the mountaineers ] Media Services The West Virginia University sports communications office will be available throughout the entire 2011-12 track & field season to accommodate any media requests. Following are some guidelines that should make it easy for media members to cover the West Virginia track & field team. Any additional questions should be directed to wrestling contact Daniel Whitehead. Event Day Parking is free in the Coliseum and Shell Building parking lots. Requested team members and coach Cleary will be available for interviews following a 15-minute grace period. Credentials Photographers and media members who wish to cover an event should contact track & field contact Daniel White head, via email (daniel.whitehead@mail.wvu.edu) or phone (304-293-2821), at least 24 hours in advance.
Directions to the WVU Coliseum From I-68 Take the Pierpont Road (mile marker 7) exit and follow signs toward the football stadium by heading West onto WV 857. At second traffic light, turn left (south) on US 119. Drive up a steep hill; the Morgantown airport will be on your left. Continue straight past several car dealerships and at the second light turn right onto WV 705. Turn left at the sixth traffic light onto Van Voorhis Road. The road becomes Patteson Drive when crossing University Avenue. Proceed up Patteson to the light at Jerry West Boulevard. Turn right on to Gale Catlett Drive and the WVU Coliseum/ WVU Shell Building will be on your right a few hundred feet ahead. From I-79 Take the Star City/WVU (mile marker 155) exit and follow signs to West Virginia University, heading south on US 19 and across the Star City Bridge. Proceed up Monongahela Boulevard past Texas Roadhouse. The WVU Coliseum/WVU Shell Building will be on your right a few hundred feet ahead.
During the Week Any member of the media wishing to interview a track & field member of the coaching staff during the week should contact West Virginia wrestling contact Daniel Whitehead, via email (daniel.whitehead@ mail.wvu.edu) or phone (304-293-2821), at least 24 hours in advance. Cell phone numbers will not be made available and all WVU student-athletes have been instructed to not conduct interviews without prior approval of the sports communications staff.
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Receiving Information Media members may receive track & field press releases, notes and more via email. To receive such press releases, event recaps and more, simply email your requests to daniel.whitehead@mail.wvu.edu. MSNsportsNET.com MSNsportsNET.com is the place for media and fans to go for the latest on Mountaineer track & field. Student-athlete and coaching staff bios are available at the click of a finger by going to MSNsportsNET. com. Updated following each event, MSNsportsNET.com is your place to find the latest results for Mountaineer track & field results.
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Sports Communications [ publicizing the mountaineers ]
Sports Information The West Virginia University sports communication office is located in the WVU Coliseum near the Red Gate. The main sports communications office is Room 107 with additional offices upstairs in Room 214C.
Track & Field Contact Daniel Whitehead Graduate Assistant email: daniel.whitehead@mail.wvu.edu
Mailing Address Sports Communications Office West Virginia University P.O. Box 0877 Morgantown, WV 26507-0877 Overnight Shipping Address Sports Communications Office West Virginia University 107 Coliseum Monongahela Blvd. Morgantown, WV 26505 Phone Information Office: 304-293-2821 Fax: 304-293-4105 Press Box: 304-293-6480
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WVU Sports Communications Staff Michael Fragale Assistant Athletic Director, Communications Bryan Messerly Sports Information Director Joe Swan Sports Publications Director John Antonik Director of New Media Mike Montoro Director of Football Communications Katie Kane Associate Sports Information Director Tim Goodenow Assistant Publications Director Shannon McNamara Assistant Sports Information Director Lisa Ammons Business Manager Cheryl Maust Program Assistant Amy Prunty Program Assistant Julie Brown Graduate Assistant Grant Dovey Graduate Assistant Brian Kuppelweiser Graduate Assistant Daniel Whitehead Graduate Assistant