Winter momentum should carry over for spring track

After a third place finish in the New England Div. III championships last spring and a successful indoor campaign this winter, the women's track team should be a force to be reckoned with as the spring season gets under way, especially in the track events.

The Jumbos' strengths will lie in the sprint and hurdle competitions. The sprinters will be led by senior quad-captain Jess Trombly and classmate Shushanna Mignott, junior Ayako Sawanobori, and sophomores Rachel Bloom and Katie Gadkowski. Trombly broke five school records outside last year and also qualified for Nationals in 11 events. The long sprint group will be comprised of senior quad-captains Emily Bersin, Kate Higley, and junior Sika Henry.

Junior Katie Sheedy will lead the Jumbos in mid-distance events. Bersin, sophomore Molly Whittington, and freshmen Mackenzie Rawcliffe and Leah Venti all look to contribute in the hurdle events.

The team will also look to many other athletes from the winter season -- including Mignott, Sawanobori, Bersin, Bloom and Gadkowski -- to step up as veteran leaders this spring. Coach Kristen Morwick expects the success from the indoor season to carry over as the weather warms and the team moves outside.

"We've got the same cast of characters from the winter," Morwick said. "Most of the athletes who competed indoors will compete outdoors; we'll be relying on their continued success. They should do very well."

The Jumbos will also rely on some of the younger athletes on the team in competition. Morwick believes the young runners should mesh well with many of the veteran leaders and strengthen the team.

"We've got some great young talent in the track events," Morwick said. "Whittington, sophomore Jillian Warner, and freshman Whitney Walters should all do very well and improve us in competition."

Morwick expects the team to excel in the track events this season and looks to place among the top teams in the NESCAC and New England. Williams College and Wheaton College will be tough competition, but after an impressive indoor campaign, Morwick is comfortable with her squad.

"We've made a lot of improvements in all our events," Morwick said. "We've got a lot of athletes competing for us from the indoor season. We should place in the top ten in New England and the NESCAC."

The team's first meet is scheduled for Saturday, April 3, when the Jumbos will travel to Hartford, Connecticut to take on Trinity College.