The Sea-Hawks Track and Field team will travel to Saint John, New Brunswick this week in order to compete in the AUS Track and Field Championship. This will be the first full-team competition this year for the Sea-Hawks, which means that there is a lot of excitement about the trip surrounding the team.
Former Memorial track and field star and current track coach Jennifer Stender is excited to finally see her athletes in action: “For most of the athletes this will be their one and only winter competition and after having trained since September, we are looking forward to see how they improved over last year and hopefully get some personal bests”.
For a lot of the athletes this will be a new experience as there is a large number of them heading to AUS for the first time. Although experience isn’t there, some fresh faces could prove to be exactly what Memorial needs to get good results in Saint John. Jordan Osmond, a first-year runner who is doing her masters in neuroscience, commented on how it is to be in this position: “I feel good about the event. I haven’t competed in track for a very long time, so I am a little nervous but excited at the same time”. With the help of more experienced members on the team, there should be no trouble adjusting to the big stages.
An example is Daniel Earles, a first-year runner and business student. “I am excited to see where I am at compared to the competition and I have something to prove. I’m a bit nervous, but older guys such as Ben (Krillow) have helped me a lot to be prepared”. For older guys such as Ben Krillow, this is not the first time to feel the pressure of competing in the AUS championship, which can be useful to help out some of his younger teammates. “I like that (leadership) role because I am extremely passionate about this sport and representing my school, and I feel we have a good group that I like to help out every way I can”
The AUS Championship this year will be hosted in newly opened Irving Field House complex in Saint John, New Brunswick. The facilities were opened a couple months ago and feature a great feeling track that is soft underfoot, so it will be amazing to see all AUS track & field compete there. Levi Moulton, who had a very successful Cross Country season this year, commented on the condition of the facilities: “Their track has only been open for a few months and it is a state of the art. The competition, paired with such a great facility will no doubt yield some fast results”
However, for some of the athletes, travelling to Saint John isn’t only about great facilities. Owen Campbell, a 2nd year runner, is from Saint John so this trip carries a little extra weight for him as it is his homecoming. “I am excited to go back home and run in front of my friends and family which I haven’t done since high school, but also spend a lot of time with the team”, Campbell said. There is no doubt this will be an emotional event for him, which can hopefully motivate him to good results.
One of the disciplines the Sea-Hawks could excel in this season is pole vaulting. Erin McGettigan took home the silver in it last year, and her, Niamh Molloy, and Nick Pike have significant chances to get on the podium this year as well. Coach George Stanoev has been working with them a lot to prepare for this AUS Championship and he believes they have what it takes. “The athletes need to approach the competition with respect and apply the skills acquired during the preparation for the meet; adopt ‘I can’ attitude and allow themselves to succeed”. The Sea-Hawks start off the competition Friday morning, finishing up Saturday afternoon and hopefully bringing back some medals to St. John’s on Sunday.
Male:
Levi Moulton- 3000m, 1500m
Paul Andersen- High Jump
Owen Campbell- 600m, 4x400m, 4x800m
Nick Pike- Pole Vault
Nick Provencher- 600m, 4x800, High Jump
Kosta Tiodorovic- Shot Put, Weighted Throw
Dumisa Bhebe- 60m Hurdles, Long Jump, Triple Jump, 60m
Daniel Earles- 60m, 300m, 4x400m, 4x800m
Ben Krillow- 60m, 300m, 4x400m
Female:
Jenna Sunde- Pentathlon, 4x200m, 4x400m
Jordan Osmond- 60m, 300m, 4x200m, 4x400m, 4x800m
Gretchen McPhail- 600m, 4x400m, 4x800m
Erin McGettigan- Pole Vault
Katie Pike- Long Jump, 4x200m
Shae LeDevehat- 300m, High Jump, Shot Put, 4x200m, 4x400m, 4x800m
Niamh Molloy- Pole Vault
Katrina-Lynn Picco- 3000m, 1500m