Track and field take NCAC by storm

Junior Matt Hunter competes in the high jump portion of the heptathlon event during the NCAC championship at Denison University on March 8. Photo by Dianne DeAngelis

The men’s and women’s indoor track team emerged victorious at the NCAC indoor track and field championships in Lincoln, Nebraska on March 7 and 8.

The women’s team brought home their eighth straight conference title and the men’s team placed second behind Wabash College.

Head Track and Field Coach Kris Boey said both the men’s and women’s team put forth efforts in all events throughout the season.

“This season our women’s team posted 39 performances that rank top 10 in the program’s history with seven school records being set,” said Boey.

“The men’s team had 27 top 10 performances and set four school records.”

Boey said that some team highlights include senior, Sarah Bechtel winning her fourth consecutive NCAC pole vault title senior Cara DeAngelis being named NCAC distance runner of the year and team members, senior Holly Fouch; freshman Sierra Wright; freshman Paige Springhetti, and sophomore Sara Johnson setting a conference record for the 4×400 relay.

The men also had impressive highlights, freshman Colin McShane received the NCAC sprinter of the year award and set a conference record in the 200 dash, while, junior Matt Hunter also set a conference record in the heptathlon.

Boey said that the teams are full of leaders, which help contribute to the “winning culture” of this season.

Sophomore Sara Johnson said that women’s captains Fouch, junior Olivia DeMeio, senior Sarah Bechtel, senior Antoinette Jollif, and DeAngelis guided the women’s indoor track team throughout a successful season.

“They have truly helped our team this past season from the amount of effort they have brought in,” said Johnson.

“From keeping our heard on the right track at all times, it has led us to a great season and another Indoor Conference title for the 8th time running!”

Johnson said that the team reached over 100 “personal best” times and scores in the indoor season and hopes to add to these personal achievements during the outdoor season.

“Our main focus and goal for this outdoor season is, as a team, obtaining another Outdoor NCAC Conference title making our seniors this year, go out in a perfect record and hopefully keeping our streak until my senior year and more,” said Johnson.

Boey said the main goal now is to have a large representation of red and black at the NCAA D-III and NCAC outdoor championships.

“As we head outdoors, the goal is always to be the best in the NCAC and among Ohio D-III schools,” said Boey.

“We want to represent Ohio Wesleyan to the best of our abilities in every capacity and to be well represented here at home when we host the NCAA Outdoor Championships in May.”