November 12, 2012
For Immediate Release
Fort Wayne, Ind. – The Indiana Tech track and field programs begin the 2012-13 season with high expectations. The team is coming off its best season in program history with the men’s team capturing 5th at the NAIA Outdoor Championships and the women’s team finishing 6th at the Indoors Championships and 9th at the Outdoors.
The women’s squad won their fourth consecutive WHAC championship last season, while the men grabbed their third runner-up finish in the last two years. Returning are 25 of the team’s 30 national qualifiers, including every athlete that scored a point at the Indoor or Outdoor National Championship for the Warriors.
The team also welcomes in a talented group of freshmen and transfers, and looks to take that next step as one of the premier programs in the NAIA.
Men’s Sprints
The men’s sprint squad is led by junior Dontaey Paige (Ft. Wayne, IN/Heritage) who is coming off his 3rd place finish in the 200 at the Outdoor National Championships. Paige is joined by his 10th place 4x100 teammates Jacob Lindley (Ft. Wayne, IN/Leo), David Army (Elkhart, IN/Elkhart Central), and Derrius Carroll (Ft. Wayne, IN/Harding). The men’s 4x400, that also placed 3rd, at the Outdoor National Championship, also returns three members consisting of senior Brandon Reynard (Muncie, IN/Jay County), junior Austen Barnes (Ft. Wayne, IN/Vincennes), and sophomore D’Quan Ruth (Indianapolis, IN/Ben Davis).
Several new faces should impact the sprints group led by Dareyus Person (Columbus, OH/Eastmoor) and his 47.97 400 performance at the Ohio state meet last season. Other key newcomers to watch include John Broaden (10.90/21.70), Quinton Jones (10.59), Jeff Douglas (10.78), and Alex Zolman (49.87). Other names to watch are returners Joe McNabb (Toledo, OH/Whitmer) and Chris Goodman (Rochester, IN/Rochester).
Men’s Hurdles
Four-time All-American senior Brandon Reynard leads a much improved hurdle crew. Freshman 400 hurdler record holder D’Quan Ruth is joined by former high school teammate Robert Rose (14.41/39.07), who redshirted last season for the Warriors. New faces in the hurdle crew include Ryan Cavender (14.23/37.89), Craig Leu (14.47/39.03), Staruan Butler, and Aaron Hooks.
Men’s Mid-Distance
The middle distance crew sees its top performers from a year ago Seth Spangler (1:55.03) and Nick Radionoff (1:55.31) return to lead a much deeper group. New faces include Matt Adair (1:56.18), Deshawn Marshall (50.00/2:00.63), Mike Hall (1:58.88), DeAndre Harris (1:59.51), Matt Rouwhorst (4:24) and Zach Reiber.
Men’s Field Events
2012 NAIA National Champion Igor Morales (Caracas, Venezuela/Graceland) returns for his senior season and leads a field events crew that is filled with talent. Joining Morales are a pair of All-American high jumpers in Herb Gary (Indianapolis, IN/Ben Davis) and David Army, as well as All-American thrower Aaron Baker (Howe, IN/Lakeland). National Qualifier Ninlo Diarrassouba (Kentwood, MI/East Kentwood) also returns for the Warriors.
In the jumps, the Warriors welcome a pair of freshmen high jumpers in Harris Edwards (6-9) and Alex Rowe (6-7.5). Edwards is also an accomplished sprinter with a 47.38 4x4 split and 22.19 open 200 time.
The long and triple jump group is completely rebuilt and is paced by All-American Junior College transfer Darryl Marlow (24-11/49-0.25). Marlow is joined by a talented group of freshmen in Isaiah Lintz (23-2.5/45-5.5), Blake Barlow (22-7), and TJ Williams (45-6).
Joining Morales in the pole vault is Ayrton Fineout (14-6). In the throws, the Warriors welcome two premier talents in Tim Colbert (55-2.5) and Trevor Wright (54-10.25/172-9). Lastly, Junior College All-American decathlete Andre Adkins (Delhi, NY/SUNY Delhi) should contribute in several event areas throughout the season.
Men’s Distance
A pair of cross country National qualifiers in Matt Kimbrell (Muncie, IN/Muncie Southside) and Aaron Belcher (Mooresville, IN/Mooresville) lead a revamped distance crew that features several new faces. Drew Mueller (9:03 3k), Zac Johnson, Paul Watts, Brenden Zoltek, and Marcus Hobbs are all coming off solid freshmen cross country campaigns and look to make an immediate impact on the distance crew.
Coach Edgar on this year’s team: “This is definitely the deepest group that we have ever had here at Tech. I think for the first time in program history the men’s program may have more talent than the women’s team (which is saying a lot). We know that our big focuses are getting things done in the classroom, supporting each other on the track, and living up to the potential we have as a group. This group has lofty goals of winning its first ever WHAC championship and improving on last year’s 5th place national finish. We know that it’s going to take a lot of work to get us there, but I think we have the right group of guys in place to make that possible. We have worked very hard through conditioning and have put ourselves in a great position for this season.”
Women’s Sprints
The sprint squad is led by a pair of All-American seniors in Adella King (16-time All-American) and Abigail Torian (four-time All-American). The pair is joined by their 2011 4x100 National Championship teammates junior Chloe Brooks (six-time All-American) and sophomore Katelyn Lewis (four-time All-American). Juniors Jamela Kimbrough (two-time All-American) and Kemi Doss (two-time All-American) also bring much needed leadership to a young group.
Last year’s freshmen class is back and ready to improve on outstanding freshman years. All-Americans Kirsten Flake (Muncie, IN/Muncie Central) and Shayne Armbrister (Roseville, MI/Roseville) are joined by National Qualifiers Jewel Thomas (Lathrup Village, MI/Lathrup Village) and Chauntiel Smith (Ft. Wayne, IN/South Side).
New faces to the group include Malika Rashid (7.85 60/ 17-2 LJ) and Bria Jones (59.2).
Women’s Hurdles
The hurdles continue to be strength for the Lady Warriors with junior Zalika Dixon (Brooklyn, NY/Fashion Industries) coming off her 3rd place finish in the 400 hurdles at the NAIA National Championship in 57.93. Sophomore All-American Andrea Ford (Ft. Wayne, IN/Harding) leads the short hurdle crew and looks to build on her record setting freshman campaign. She is joined by the other freshmen National qualifiers in Shayla France (Harrison Twp, MI/Le Anse Cruis), Kellie Littlejohn (Southfield, MI/Southfield), and Mariama Waheed (St. Louis, MO/Missouri Baptist).
New to the group for the ladies is Shanice Goode (46.35/17-3 LJ/5-1 HJ), who shows a lot of promise in the multi events. Also Lariah Simpson (15.94/48.74) should continue the strong tradition in the high hurdles.
Women’s Mid-Distance
The women’s middle distance group is led by sophomore Cherie Gaines (Farmington Hills, MI/Farmington Hills North), who qualified for Nationals in the 600 this past season and is coming off a great sophomore cross country campaign. Gaines is joined by a host of new athletes led by Alaina Redd (3:03 1000/2:18). Other top freshman include Jasmine Lott (3:20 1000) and Emily Streahle (2:28).
Women’s Field Events
The women’s field events, much like the men’s, continue to be a strength. Back are All-American jumpers Cora Tatum (Ft. Wayne, IN/Elmhurst) and Stacia Murray (Ft. Wayne, IN/Elmhurst), who are joined by National Qualifier Ashley Watley (Eastpoint, MI/Eastpoint). Other key returners include Alea Milligan (Kansas City, MO/Ruskin), Emily Gresley (Ossian, IN/Norwell), Andrea Turner (Ft. Wayne, IN/South Side), and Taylor Meredyk (Walled Lake, MI/Walled Lake Central).
The biggest new additions are Nazirah Jones (36-6/ 25.86 200), who has also shown great potential in the 400 in early season workouts, and Indiana State Pole Vault runner-up Jeslyn Zimmerly (12-4).
Women’s Distance
The women’s distance squad is led by freshman cross country National Qualifier Brenna Conger (Packwood, IA/Pekin). Joining Conger is junior Becca Lamb (Ridgeville, OH/North Ridgeville), who has a history of stepping up big at the WHAC Championships.
Coach Edgar on this year’s team: “Our women’s team is not quite as well rounded as our men’s team, however the top talent is as good as anyone. We have great strength in the sprints, hurdles, and field events and have really improved our middle distance events. We need to continue to develop our distance program and work to be well rounded. We need to continue to support each other as a team as we look to defend our back-to-back indoor and outdoor WHAC championships. We need to come together if we want to take that next step nationally and be a top-3 program. I expect our sophomore class is going to determine how high we place at Nationals and our ability to defend our WHAC championship. Their development is the main key to this team.”
For more information on Indiana Tech athletics please call the Athletic Office at 260-422-5561 ext. 2492 or visit our website at http://www.indianatech.edu/athletics
