Track and Field Kick-Off 2015-16 Campaign at the Bill Ward Invitational
Written by Joshua Soto (SJC-LI Sports Information)
Patchogue, NY| The St. Joseph's College (L.I.) men's and women's indoor track and field teams are set to open their 2015-16 season on Tuesday, October 8 when they participate in the Bill Ward Invitational at St. Anthony's High School in South Huntington, NY. Both the women and men look to improve on eighth and ninth place finishes at the NJAC Indoor Championships this past February.
Ashley Arquer leads the way for the women heading into her junior year. The Lindenhurst native broke the program's 60 meter (8.22) and 200 meter (27.38) records at the NJAC Championships last season. She also recorded a career best at the long jump event with a distance of 4.90 meters at the event.
Jessica Pierno returns to the track for her second year after breaking SJC's triple jump record (9.53 m) at last year's NJAC Championship. Junior sprinter Kristina Schrepf will add to the depth along with classmate Cassandra Costarelli.
Skyline Cross Country All-Conference First-Team members Katie Scharrenbroich, Megan Lavery, and Kelly Roberts will run with the indoor track and field team this season for the first time. Samantha Maurice, the Individual Skyline Cross Country Champion, will return to the team since last participating in 2013-14.
On the men's side, ECAC Championship participants Mike O'Shea and Brian Frejka will return a year after breaking the 800-meter relay (1:35.25) mark. Tim Elgort will also be a key runner as he helped break the program record (3:38.15) in the 1600-meter relay. Nick Diaz, John Suchopar, who return for the 2015-16 campaign, will be vital for the team's success.
Joining the program is the Individual Skyline Cross Country Champion Ryan Haun, and newcomer Daniel Antonawich.
In his third season at the helm is head coach Matthew Perry, who is excited to get the season started. "We are always looking to get as many athletes as possible to qualify for ECAC's and we have been very fortunate to have had at least one individual or one or two relays qualify," said Perry. "This year we are hoping the women's side has qualifiers, as we just missed out with two athletes last year," added Perry.
The women's team finished eighth out of nine teams with nine points in last year's championship and the men scored 11 points finishing ninth out of nine at the NJAC Championships. "The NJAC is a very competitive conference and we hope to move up the rankings each year and score more points every year," added Perry.
The Golden Eagles return to the track on Tuesday with much anticipation, as they have their sights set on qualifying for the ECAC's. St. Joseph's College will host two events this season, starting with its second annual St. Joseph's College Winter Invitational on January 16 and the St. Joseph's Last Chance Meet on February 27. Both events will be held at St. Anthony's High School.
