Stephanie Hatfield to compete at nationals
May 25, 2006

EMPORIA, Kan.-Wesleyan track runner Stephanie Hatfield (Clarksburg, W.Va.) will compete today in the NCAA Division II Outdoor Track and Field Championships. Emporia State University (Kan.) is hosting the national event this year.

Hatfield was the only member of the Bobcat squad to qualify for the championships. She took first in the 10,000 meter run in the WVIAC Championships and will be racing in that event today at 7:40 p.m. central time. She enters the meet with a time of 36:50.34 and is seeded 14th.

For a full list of championship track qualifiers, please visit the link NCAA DII Final Competition List.

For the schedule of events, please click on NCAA DII Championships – Schedule of events.

For updated results, click on Division II Results.

WHEELING, W.Va.-The Bobcat track teams have done it again (and again), winning the WVIAC women’s and men’s conference championship for the third consecutive year. This is head coach Jesse Skiles’ 35th and 36th career WVIAC championship win. He earned Coach of the Year on both the women’s and men’s sides for his teams’ performances.

On the Lady Bobcat side, after day one of the meet they totaled in 107 points compared to second and third placed Golden Eagles and Mountain Lions who had 64 and 52 points, respectively. In the end, Wesleyan came home with the trophy, stomping their closest competition by 110 points. Wheeling Jesuit squeezed by the University of Charleston for second place, leaving the Golden Eagles with third and the Mountains Lions fourth.

Helping the Lady ‘Cats earn their 200 plus points were Stephanie Hatfield (Clarksburg, W.Va.), Leah Erenrich (Morgantown, W.Va.), and Sarah Van Horn (Malta, W.Va). All three grabbed first place titles in two events. Hatfield claimed the 3000 and 10,000 meter runs while fellow distance runner Erenrich took the 5000 and steeplechase. Freshman Van Horn not only took first in the 100 hurdles and the heptathlon but also placed second in the high jump and fifth in the javelin. For her efforts, Van Horn earned Rookie of the Year.

Sophomore Lindsey Elkins (Buffalo, W.Va.) shined on the track, taking the 400 hurdles title, helping the 4x400 relay to second and the 4x400 relay to fourth. Elkins also claimed sixth in the 400 meter run.

In the 800, 3000, 5000, 10000, and steeplechase, the women’s mid-distance/distance squad claimed fifteen of the thirty places. Besides Hatfield and Erenrich, heading up the crew was Danielle Painter (Fenelton, Pa.), Brenna Hagerty (Friendly, W.Va), Amanda Griffith (Cumberland, Md.), Missy Spangler (Pennsboro, W.Va.), and Tiffany Riley (Springfield, Ohio).

Domination from the women’s hurdlers was back again this year as they tallied in over 80 percent of the hurdle points. In the 100 event, the Lady ‘Cats were one place shy of a sweep and in the 400 hurdles they claimed the top three spots along with fifth. Brandi Johns (Cowen, W.Va.) and Lori Coffman (New Milton, W.Va.) ran both events, with Johns taking 2nd in the 100 hurdles and 5th in the 400 and Coffman doing the opposite with 2nd in the 400 hurdles and 5th in the 100 event. Katie Schubert (Montrose, W.Va.) finished the one, two, three sweep nailing third place in the 400 hurdles.

Johns also ran legs on the 4x100 and 4x400 relays.

Britney Amodio (Stonewood, W.Va.) stuck out in the jumping division, taking third place in the high jump, long jump, and pole vault as well as grabbing fourth in the triple. Fellow jumper Emily Henley (Scott Depot, W.Va.) took fourth in both the long and triple jumps. She also took third in the heptathlon and fourth in the 100 hurdles.

Pole vaulter Nicole White (West Union, W.Va.) improved her placing from last year, taking second in the vault.

On the field, javelin thrower Dana Snyder (Claysville, Pa.) threw for third place. Vanessa Michel (Jackson, N.J.) also took third but in the shot put. Michel also placed sixth in the discus, two places behind teammate Kate Clark (New Milton, W.Va.).

The men’s team did not start out as secure as the women in renewing their title. After the first day’s events, the Bobcats were down 82-57 to Cardinals. The Mountain Lions were only five points behind with 52 points.

In the beginning of day two, the Bobcat high jumpers helped pump up their team. Gaining much needed points, jumpers Stephen Zirilli (Richwood, W.Va.), Josh Boone (Terra Alta, W.Va.), and Adam Mason (Berkeley Springs, W.Va.) all posted ahead of Wheeling with second, third, and fourth place finishes.

The Bobcats momentum picked up speed during the 4x100, triple jump, and 110 hurdles, what Wesleyan coaches called the turning point of the championship meet. The three events all took place within a period of thirty minutes and helped boost the Bobcats to first.

The 4x100 relay team of Leonard McLean (St. Andrews, Jamaica), Rico Greenhowe (Charleston, W.Va.), Phillip McElfresh (Bridgeport, W.Va.), and Jason Koon (Roanoke, W.Va.) overtook Wheeling Jesuit’s relay team. Around that time on the field, senior Andy Shingle (West Alexander, Pa.) claimed the triple jump title for his second consecutive year. He out-jumped Concord’s Ola Adams by .02 meters with a 13.03 m jump.

Back on the track, the 110 hurdlers Chad Jordan (Milton, W.Va.) and Josh Natali (Paden City, W.Va) grabbed first and second forcing Wheeling’s two hurdlers to take third and fourth. Shane Bosley (Berkeley Springs, W.Va.) ran both the 110 and 400 hurdles despite not being able to compete in previous meets due to injuries. He gave his team the much needed sixth and fifth place points in the two respective events.

Things started to come together for the Bobcats as they saw their point total surpass Wheeling’s. Contributing to this were 4x100 relay sprinters Koon and Greenhowe. Koon also took second in both the 100 and 200. Greenhowe accompanied his relay title with the 400 meter title along with taking third in the 200 and 4x400 relay. In his 400 race, Greenhowe made the NCAA national provisional time.

400 meter teammate Natali placed sixth in the event as well as running a leg on the 4x400 and taking third in the decathlon.

In the 100, Wesleyan sprinters prevailed. Along with Koon’s finish, fellow sprinters Sloan Baisden (Buckhannon, W.Va.), McElfresh, and McLean went three, five, and six.

Also making ground was the Bobcats’ mid-distance/distance crew. Ryan Johnson (Huntington, W.Va.) was the lone Wesleyan runner to place in the 800. The Bobcats held twelve finishes in the 1500, 5000, 10000, and steeplechase combined. Earning second place spots in the 5000 and 10000 were Eric Cooper (Culloden, W.Va.) and Pat Reagan (Masontown, Pa.). Cooper also placed third in the steeple while Reagan took third in the 3000 and fifth in the 1500. Also hitting a top placing was Jason Gurney (Tiffin, Ohio) who took bronze in the 10000.

On the field, Tyler Blatchley (Baltimore, Md.) claimed two seconds in the discus and the shot put. Blatchley hit the NCAA provisional mark in the shot. Seniors Brad Wilt (Salem, W.Va.) and Zirilli both placed fourth in their perspective events, the shot and the javelin.

By the end of the second day, the Bobcats had made a comeback and successfully defended their title. They edged out Wheeling 24 points. Concord University remained in third with 115 points.

For a complete individual results list, please click on the following link: 2006 WVIAC championship meet.

DURHAM, N.C.-Over the weekend, some of Wesleyan’s track and field athletes competed in the Duke Invitational. Competition started Friday, April 7 and went through Saturday the 8th.

Freshman Sarah Van Horn (Malta, Ohio) took sixth in the high jump with a 1.65 meter jump.

On the track, distance runner Pat Reagan (Masontown, Pa.) grabbed the seventh place finish in the 10,000 meter run.

Saturday’s events gave Wesleyan two twelfth place postings. Danielle Painter (Fenelton, Pa.) earned her posting in the 800 meter run (developmental) with a time of 2:19. Sprinter Rico Greenhowe (Charleston, W.Va.) faired up equally as well in the 400 meter dash (seeded). He finished with a time of 48.34.

BUCKHANNON, W.Va.-The Wesleyan men’s and women’s track teams both took first at their home invitational. On the women’s side, they racked in 113 points beating the second place Glenville by 71 points. The men also had a bit of a cushion as they totaled in 38 more points than the second place Glenville.

The Lady Bobcats showed some true domination at the meet. In the 800 meter run and the 400 hurdles, the women went one thru three. Megan Docherty (Grafton, W.Va.), Annie Schuerger (Charleston, W.Va.), and Treasure Ridgway (Webster Springs, W.Va.) were the 800 trio while Katie Schubert (Montrose, W.Va.), Lori Coffman (New Milton, W.Va.), Caitlin Boggs (Spencer, W.Va.) had the 400 hurdles combo.

Wesleyan first and second place pairings came through in four events. Sprinters Tiffany Riley (Springfield, Ohio) and Danielle Painter (Fenelton, Pa.) finished first and second in the 400. Sarah Van Horn (Malta, Ohio) and Brandi Johns (Cowen, W.Va.) took the honors in the 110 meter hurdles. On the field, high jumpers Britney Amodio (Stonewood, W.Va.) and Megan Elkins (Buffalo, W.Va.) went one and two. And in the triple, Teal Morrison (Belleville, W.Va.) and Amodio jumped for the top two spots.

Vanessa Michel (Jackson, N.J.) notched first place in both the discus and shot put. Joining her on the field was Dana Snyder (Claysville, Pa.) who placed second in the javelin.

First place finishers Riley and Van Horn both took second in their other events, the 200 for Riley and the long jump for Van Horn.

The Bobcat men saw first place finishes from Chad Jordan (Milton, W.Va.) in the 110 hurdles, from Dustin Jones (Cabell Midland, W.Va.) in the long jump, and from Tyler Blatchley (Baltimore, Md.) in the discus. Jordan and Blatchley also had second place showings, in the triple jump and the shot put, respectively.

In the 3000 meter run, Wesleyan went first and second with finishes from James Kavaliauskas (Clementon, N.J.) and Jason Gurney (Tiffin, Ohio).

Hitting up second place points on the track was Jason Koon (Roanoke, W.Va.) in the 100 meter dash, Jonathan Gorhband (Reston, Va.) in the 800, Grant Burton (Bridgeport, W.Va.) in the 400 meter hurdles, and both relay teams. Stephen Zirilli (Richwood, W.Va.) was the lone second place fielder, posting silver in the javelin.

Hatfield is currently ranked second on the NCAA Division II Track and Field Performance List.

Several other Wesleyan athletes participated in the Raleigh Relays A Standard meet. For a complete list of results, please click on the following link: Raleigh Relay results. Use the link Raleigh Relay Wesleyan results to see individual Wesleyan athlete results.

CONCORD, W.Va.-The Lady Bobcats blew away their competition at the Concord Invitational on March 25. Wesleyan's women's team took a solid first, defeating second place Concord by 24 points.

On the track, Wesleyan grabbed first place performances from Tiffany Riley (Springfield, Ohio) in the 400, Danielle Painter (Fenelton, Pa.) in the 800, Brandi Johns (Cowen, W.Va.) in the 100 hurdles, and Lindsey Elkins (Buffalo, W.Va.) in the 400 hurdles. Discus thrower Vanessa Michel (Jackson, N.J.) was the lone field competitor to win her event.

Wesleyan’s men’s team was only 4.5 points away from first place Concord who posted 77 points.

The Bobcat distance/mid-distance runners and hurdlers outshined their competition. The 800, 1500, 3000, and 5000 were all won by Wesleyan. Junior Jonathan Gohrband (Reston, Va.) captured first in both the 800 and 1500. Jason Gurney (Tiffin, Ohio) took the 3000 while teammate Eric Cooper (Culloden, W.Va.) took the 5000.

Hurdlers Zach Barlow (Washington, Pa.) and Josh Abbott (Belleville, W.Va.) each came home with a win. Barlow nabbed the 110 while Abbot was strong in the 400 hurdles.

CHARLESTON, S.C.-The Bobcat track team began their outdoor season at the Charleston Southern Invitational on March 11.

On the women’s side, the Lady ‘Cats posted three first place finishes, one second place, and two thirds. Freshman Sarah Van Horn (Malta, Ohio) took the win in the high jump. Returning distance runner Hannah Jo Robinson (Cameron, W.Va.) grabbed first in the steeplechase while senior Stephanie Hatfield (Clarksburg, W.Va.) took the 5000.

Pat Reagan (Masontown, Pa.) started out his freshman year strong notching the only first place win for the men’s team. He finished nearly 17 seconds ahead of the pack in the 5000. Wesleyan also had two second place finishes and two third placings.