February 1, 2005

Sea Gull Track and Field Teams Ready for Spring Season

Salisbury, MD- With one meet under their belt, the Salisbury University men’s and women’s track and field teams continue their indoor season Saturday at the University of Maryland, Eastern Shore Hawk Games.

“Last weekend’s performances at the Captains Classic were a good indicator of where the team stands so far this season,” said SU Head Coach Jim Jones.  “Sophomore K.C. Gale set two schools records and emerged as a leader in the throws. Despite having only a week and a half of practice, the team has shown depth in all three areas.” 

The Sea Gulls will look to senior Tristan Gilbert, who holds the school record in the indoor 800-meter run, and junior Daryl Lee, who took first place in the 800-meter run at the 2004 Capital Athletic Championship, to lead the men’s team in the middle distance events.

Alongside Gilbert and Lee will be freshman Scott Koehler and senior Will Detwiler. Both enjoyed successful cross country seasons under Jones’ guidance this past fall. Jones anticipates that junior Enos Benbow, a sprinter, will also have a successful season, while junior Will Murdoch, who took first place in the 3,000 meter steeplechase at the 2004 CAC Championship, should be a presence as the team’s premier distance runner.

Rounding out the list of contenders on the men’s team will be senior Brandon Fields, who holds the school record in the discus, and senior Tim Robinson, who captured first place in the javelin throw at the 2004 CAC Championship. At last weekend’s Captains Classic, Fields finished fourth in the weight throw with a distance of 49’ ¼”, just missing his record of 49’ 1 ½”.

“On the women’s side, returning 2004 Rookie of the Year Ruth Hedrick definitely will be a contender in the hurdles,” said Jones. Hedrick took first place in the 100-meter and 400-meter hurdles at the 2004 CAC Championship. “We also have a solid field of runners from sophomore sprinter Laura Ulmer to freshman middle-distance runner Casey McInerney,” Jones said.

The women’s team welcomes nine freshmen to the 2005 squad and will rely on the experience of senior Melissa Lewis in the field events and junior Lauren Bragg in the distance and middle distance events. Lewis captured third place in the hammer throw at the 2004 CAC Championship, while Bragg had an impressive cross country season during the 2004 Fall campaign.

As the 2004 men’s Capital Athletic Conference Champions and the 2004 women’s CAC runners-up, the Sea Gulls are looking forward to another intense season. “With good depth and numbers, the 2005 track and field team should be successful again this year,” said Jones.

This weekend’s meet in Princess Anne should also help Jones to get a better gage on where the teams currently stand. The Hawk Games showcase both NCAA Division I and Division III teams.

The indoor season continues through February 27, capped with the Mason-Dixon Indoor Championship in Newport News, VA. The Gulls then begin the outdoor season with their SU Opener at home on March 5. Other highlights during the outdoor season include the CAC Championship Meet on April 16 and the Mason-Dixon Outdoor Championship on May 6-7.