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2011 Outlook
Patience is a virtue and head track and field coach Brian Yowler knows this better than anyone. After taking over the head coaching job last year, he knew it would be a process to get the men’s and women’s team where he would like. If the 2011 indoor track and field season is any indication, the Golden Tornadoes may be a lot closer to those standards than most people think. “We had a tremendous indoor season,” says Yowler. “It is a very exciting time for our program with the influx of talent from the last couple of years.”
The similarities between the men’s and women’s teams begin with the amount of experience on both sides. There are some tremendous senior leaders on the women’s side that include the likes of Sarah Davis, Julia Urbanski, Aisha Moore and Liz Michalak. For the men, experienced student-athletes that have already competed on the national level include Dan Dillman, Tyler French, Corey Fraction, Shaka Sydnor, Stephen Polite and Nick Edinger. “There is no substitute for experience,” says Yowler. “We have men and women that have competed at the highest level and those experiences will filter through our program and make everyone better.”
Track and field is a very goal-oriented sport, especially when Coach Yowler is in charge. Like years past, the goals for success are in place and both teams will be looking at similar standards for the 2011 campaign. “We want both teams to finish in the top five at the PAC meet,” says Yowler. “I believe we have the athletes to compete in many of the events. I am looking forward to see everyone progress throughout the spring.”
Each team has seen talented athletes join the program this past fall and some should be looking at impressive performances this year. On the women’s side, two-sport athlete Samantha Fisher (jumps, hurdles), Kathryn Regalado (throws), Mary Keen (throws), Emily Crain (sprints/jumps) and Alayna Merkle (mid-distance) should all be major contributors this year. For the men, Jon Shope (distance), who already qualified for the cross country nationals in the fall, will be joined by Ryan White (sprints) and Owen Struck (mid-distance) as newcomers to watch.
“We take great pride in what our men and women do in the classroom,” says Yowler. “Our goal for each team is to have a cumulative GPA of 3.4, which is are some lofty expectations, but I believe very doable.”
With the main goal for each program being continued improvement and improved results, both teams will look to place more athletes on the bus to the national meet at season’s end. “We are looking forward to having more people on that trip,” says Yowler. “We would also like to have at least one All-American on each team.”
The standard for excellence continues to go up for Geneva track and field and the athletes continue to raise the bar. While Coach Yowler has continued to be patient, the athletes are ready to compete and win sooner than later. That is a very good recipe for success.