January 14, 2002
Track Travels to Illinois Wesleyan
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January 14, 2002>p>
Coach Darryl Frerker is giving his student-athletes a break and a test at the same time. The Cougar coach is sending his team to the Illinois Wesleyan Relays in Bloomington on Saturday. The meet is SIUE's first indoor competition of the year and comes after a three-week layoff. "We need to get an idea of what kind of shape we're coming back in," said Frerker. Most of the meet will be relay events, giving Frerker an opportunity to see his athletes' progression without having a time posted as an individual. The only events compatible with qualifying for the NCAA Indoor Championships are the field events, the 55-meter sprints, the men's 5,000 meter run and women's 3,000-meter run. The Cougars have a couple of individuals chasing personal record or hoping to qualify for the NCAA Division II Indoor Championships. Sarah Turpin (Belleville) broke her own indoor school record in the pole vault at 8 feet, 8.25 inches. Her previous best was 8 feet. "Sarah is at a point where she could break the school record on a weekly basis," said Frerker. The Cougars' Ryan Gold (Hartford) has been a steady force in the long jump. He leaped 22-2.25 at the Illinois Wesleyan Early Bird Invitational in December. Gold needs to jump at least 23-6 to hope to qualify for nationals. -siue- |
