Season Preview: The Women's Track & Field team returns veteran squad in 2016
By Ashley Birchmeier
ADA — The Ohio Northern women's track and field team returns a veteran squad for the 2016 season. Last year, the Polar Bears finished third at both the OAC Indoor and Outdoor Championships.
Seventh-year head coach Jason Maus welcomes back a talented team from last season, while welcoming a competitive freshman class.
"We've got a nice mix of upper class men and freshman. We'll have to replace a few key seniors from last year, but that allows some new athletes to fill roles," said Maus. "They seem to accepting that challenge very well, and we're excited to see just how good this team can be this year."
Here is a look at how ONU breaks down in every category:
Sprints
In the sprints department, Northern welcomes back senior Kristine Wagner and juniors Meagan Ellinger and Allison Gast.
Wagner earned All-OAC honors last season at the OAC Indoor Championships as a member of the 4x200 relay, and earned two top ten finishes at the OAC Outdoor Championships.
Ellinger, along with being a member of the 4x200 relay, was also a member of the 4x400 relay that won both the OAC Indoor and Outdoor Championships.
Gast also earned All-OAC honors a season ago as part of the 4x200 relay and will look to have continued success this season.
Mid-Distance
The mid-distance team will look to be led this season by senior Rebekah McCutchen and sophomore Emily Richards.
McCutchen posted a strong 2015 campaign, claiming All-OAC honors at both the Indoor and Outdoor Championships. She was a member of the distance medely relay team that won the OAC Indoor Championships, as well as a member of the 4x800 relay that won the OAC Outdoor Championships.
Richards, a two-time NCAA qualifier, returns after an impressive freshman campaign. The All-American claimed a 7th place finish at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships a season ago.
She was also named the OAC Distance Runner of the Year at the OAC Outdoor Championships and is a six-time Conference Champion.
They will be joined this season by a strong group of underclassmen, all who will look to provide a more competitive edge to the mid-distance category.
Distance
The distance group will look to be led by senior Margaret Sorg and junior Genevieve Marchese.
Sorg earned her third varsity letter last season. The senior posted a career-best in the steeplechase a season ago.
Marchese will look to contribute in a major way this season after earning her first varsity letter last season.
The duo will be joined by a strong group of freshman, all looking to provide depth to the distance team.
Field
The throws department will look to be among the strongest of the field events this season, as it welcomes back senior Michaela Dramis, juniors Rebecca Olashuk and Kendra Paul.
Dramis earned All-OAC honors a season ago and set a new personal best in the weight throw. Paul also earned All-OAC honors a season ago.
The group all earned varsity letters last season and will provide plenty of experience in the throws category.
The jumps department will be led by senior Dianna Johnson-Ward and junior Kelsey Commager.
Johnson-Ward set a school record in the triple jump and was crowned a Champion at the OAC Outdoor Championship.
Senior Sarah Ballmer, who earned her fourth varsity letter last season will look to lead the group of pole vaulters.
Schedule
The men's and women's teams open the indoor season with the OAC Split Meet hosted by Mount Union on Jan. 22. The Polar Bears will then compete at the Grand Valley State (Mich.) Invitational on Jan. 30.
Northern will once again host the annual Joe Banks Invitational Feb. 6 before traveling to Westerville on Feb. 13 to compete in the All-Ohio Championships.
The OAC Championships will take place at Marietta on Feb. 26-27, and then the Polar Bears will return home once more for the Polar Bears Last Chance meet Mar. 4-5.
The NCAA III Indoor Championships will close out the season on Mar. 11 and Mar. 12 in Grinnell, Iowa.
The outdoor season opens on Mar. 19 with the Muskie Duals hosted by Muskingum. The Polar Bears will then compete in the Cedarville Invitational Mar. 26, followed by the Centre (Ky.) Invitational Apr. 2 and the Ohio Wesleyan Marv Frye Invitational Apr. 9. ONU will then travel to Delaware where they will take part in the All-Ohio Championships Apr. 16.
Northern will host one outdoor meet this season on Apr. 23, the Polar Bear Invitational, before traveling to Wilmington on Apr. 29 and 30 for the OAC Championships.
"We have a nice balance in the schedule this year," added Maus. "Some trips that will allow us to see some different schools and different levels of competition. But we'll get to see some competition that will prepare us for the conference level."
The outdoor season will close with the NCAA III Outdoor Championships hosted in Wartburg, Iowa, May 26-28.