NCAA Championship Preview
NCAA Championships – Mar. 7-9, 2013
CrossPlex Complex, Birmingham, Ala.
Overview
The Ashland University track and field teams are heading south to the NCAA Championships with 24 student-athletes. That's the largest contingent the program has ever taken to indoor nationals. Both AU teams are viewed as strong contenders for a national title. The men are ranked second in the nation and the women are ranked sixth. The Eagles are no strangers to the championship podium. In 2011 the AU men finished second in the country and the women tied for second at the national meet in 2010.
"We're proud of the fact we're bringing the biggest group of track and field athletes in school history – 16 men and eight women – 24 athletes total," remarked AU head coach Jud Logan. "That's exciting. We have the perfect blend of maturity and youth. You have the mature guys who have experience and you have the young guys who haven't been there before and don't know any better."
The 2012-13 Division II track and field championships are part of the NCAA Division II Sports Festival taking place in Birmingham, Ala. NCAA Division II championships in wrestling and swimming and diving are also taking place in Birmingham this week.
About the AU Men
The Eagles are ranked second in the nation. AU has 202.35 points in the latest poll. Adams State (220.72) is first and St. Augustine's (176.38) is third. Grand Valley State (119.78) is ranked fourth.
Sophomore Drew Windle (New Albany, Ohio) is the top seed in the 800 meters (1:48.82). A year ago at indoor nationals, Windle earned an All-America citation in the event by placing sixth (1:54.03). Last week, Windle was named the region's track and field athlete of the year.
"The region athlete of the year award is what we call earned and deserved," said Logan. "He's done everything he can. As a coaching staff, we couldn't be prouder."
As usual, the Eagles expect to earn major points in the throws. In the shot put, junior Donald Duke (Clarington, Ohio/Hannibal River) is the top seed (59-10.5). In the weight throw, senior Garrett Grey (Grahamsville, N.Y./Tri-Valley Central) has the best throw in the country (67-6) and another senior, Richard Quick (Springfield, Ohio/Springfield North), is fourth (65-6.75).
At last year's national meet, Quick was fourth (69-6) and Grey was seventh (66-6).
Senior Eric Klucar (Medina, Ohio) is the third seed in the pole vault (16-8.75).
The men's 4X4 relay has the second fastest time (3:11.63) in the country. A year ago, that quartet was fifth (3:15.64). Juniors Keith Cleveland (Cleveland, Ohio/Shaker Heights) and Jacob Cook (Lima, Ohio/Allen East), senior Cory Lamar (Wakeman, Ohio/Firelands) and sophomore Elijha Owens (Shaker Heights, Ohio) are the mainstays in this group. Cleveland, Cook and Lamar were on last year's unit.
"It's an event we take a lot of pride in," said Logan. "I'll take my chances with that group any time."
Men's Championship Picture
Last year, the AU men finished seventh. The Ashland men and women combined, won 19 All-America awards. Grand Canyon won last year's team national championship and Adams State was the runner-up. Grand Canyon didn't win by much – the Arizona school had 54 points and Adams State had 47. Abilene Christian finished first in 2011 and Adams State was the national champ in 2010. St. Augustine's won the team title in 2008 and 2009.
"When you have more numbers, you can have a slip up someplace and still be in it," said Logan of the race for the championship. "When you have seven, you have to compete out of your mind.
"We've never gone to an NCAA meet where every single kid scored," reminded Logan. "It doesn't happen. You'd like them all to finish in the top eight and earn All-America honors, but that's crazy."
About the AU Women
Senior Katie Nageotte (Olmsted Falls, Ohio) has the best mark in the country in the pole vault (14-2.5). Sophomore Jennifer Foster (Lodi, Ohio/Cloverleaf) is second in the high jump (5-11.25). In the weight throw, sophomore Kim Habegger (Jeromesville, Ohio/Hillsdale) is fourth (64-0.25) and sophomore Jessica Bridenthal (Akron, Ohio/St. Vincent-St. Mary) is sixth (63-9). Freshman Jamie Sindelar (Athens, Ohio/Plains) is fourth in the shot put (48-5.5).
In the pentathlon, senior Kendra Bassitt (Lima, Ohio/Bluffton) is fourth (3648 points).
The Eagles sit in sixth place in the national rankings with 119.38 points.
When the Eagles finished second in 2010, they had seven women at nationals. But that group got off to a good start and never stopped rolling along. That magical spring, Abby Kacsandi won a national championship in the high jump, Kelly Ash was first in the shot put and Steph Tinney was first in the 400. Tara Cooper was second in the weight throw and Lisa Roth was fourth in the pentathlon.
When things start going right, a positive vibe becomes what Logan calls, "contagious," and he is hoping that spreads in Birmingham.
"It's so crucial for us to maintain the support system," explained the AU head coach.
Women's Championship Picture
Ashland was 12th last year. Grand Valley State has won the last two national crowns. Adams State was second last spring. Lincoln (177.47) is ranked first in the country and Grand Valley State (173.14) is second. Academy of Art (150.64) is third and Adams State (145.37) is fourth.
Men's National Qualifiers
Women's National Qualifiers
AU
TRCK/ALK
