Indoor Track and Field Preview

Indoor Track and Field Preview:

Introduction:

A stalwart at UMBC since arriving as a student in the mid-nineties, Head Coach David Bobb leads one of the youngest and largest team of men and women in UMBC school history into the America East fray. On the men’s side of things a strong mix of upperclassmen, underclassmen, and new comers will highlight the program. “We have been missing some components in a couple events that has kept us from being able to compete with the top couple teams at the level we expect out of ourselves. We feel that we have addressed almost all the holes and with the help of returning athletes stepping up to the plate, we should compete with those teams for the Conference title,” said Bobb. For the women, the key to success will fall into the laps of an overwhelming army of underclassmen, led by upperclassmen standouts. “If the older kids do what they are suppose to do and the younger kids reach their potential, we could make an impact in the America East.” Three quarters of the women’s team are either freshmen or sophomores.

Schedule:

Sprints/Hurdles:

For the men’s sprint squad, the strength of the team will be in the individual performances at the conference meet with stand outs in almost every event. “We have a few athletes with the capability to win their respective events in the Conference,” said Coach Bobb, “for them the question isn’t the talent, its developing the consistent focus and intensity to raise one’s game at the Conference meet, in order to be successful at a high level against athletes of similar talent.”

Josh Hewitson - Sr.

The top returning sprinter on the men’s side is Josh Hewitson, school record holder in the 500 meter dash. After dabbling in the 800 meters and 400 meters (finishing ninth at the Outdoor Conference Meet) in the spring, Hewitson returns to his main event where he finished second in the event at the America East Conference meet last year after a third place finish the year before. In addition, he has finished fourth and fifth the past two years at the IC4A championships. In addition to the 500 meters, Hewitson will be relied upon to pick up another sprint event and assume a role on what should be a much improved 4×400 meter relay.

In the shorter sprints, UMBC returns their leading sprinter from a year ago in sophomore Kyle Baker. Baker consistently improved for the Retrievers throughout the year, leading them in the 55 meter, 60 meter, 100 meter and 200 meter dashes. He narrowly missed out on spots in the finals at both the indoor and outdoor championships, but should find himself in the mix with one year under his belt and after running a personal best 10.95 seconds in the 100 meters to end his season last year. Joining Baker will be junior transfer Denny Long (Florida International/Eleanor Roosevelt) who is capable of making an immediate impact for the Retrievers at the Conference level. A former Maryland state champion in high school, his times from his first two years of college suggest that he is in top three contention in both the 60 meters and 200 meters at the Conference meet.

Trae Proctor - Jr.

Junior Trae Proctor will return to defend his 60 meter hurdles title from the 2011 edition of the America East Indoor Track and Field Championships. His sophomore year was a break out year, moving from sixth in the finals as a freshman to the top of the podium in both the 60 meter hurdles and 110 meter hurdles at the Outdoor Championships. Usually a strong event under the guidance of Assistant Coach Shannon Flowers, who like Bobb returns for his fourteenth season, Proctor is going to be joined by freshman Kyle Mitchell (Reservoir HS), a versatile hurdler who finished second in the 55 meter, third in the 110 meter, and fifth in the 300 meter hurdles at the Maryland state meets last year. Should he adjust to the three inch height increase, Mitchell should make an impact in the finals of the hurdle events at the Conference meet within his first year.

The women’s team shows a lot more depth in almost every single event, thus their strength will be in numbers. “We’ve worked hard to develop the women’s team over the past couple years and this year should be the beginning of an identity or culture that we have been hoping to create. We have the girls with the talent to be top three as an individual, but from a team or relays aspect, we will be stronger when those parts come together,” revealed Coach Bobb.

Kirsten Jones - So.

The top returning sprinters for the women fill up the longer events, led by sophomore Kirsten Jones who finished third in the indoor 400 meters and fourth at the outdoor Conference meet. A year after making a stamp in both the 200 meters and 400 meters by making a run at school records in both, Jones looks poised to move her way up the Conference charts. Another freshman phenom from last year was Deborah Adelola who finished sixth in the indoors 500 meters and fifth in the outdoor 400 meters at last year’s Conference events. Like Jones, she could challenge the current school marks in the 400 meters, in addition to being the bookends to a quickly improving 4×400 meter relay that has the potential to make a mark in the Mid-Atlantic. Also watch out for some newcomers to the program that will be in Conference point contention. Freshmen Paulette Fogel (Bishop McNamara HS) has the range to make an impact from 200 meters to 800 meters, but should find her niche right away in the 400 meter and 500 meter dash arena. In addition to Briana Young (Elizabeth Seton HS), who like Jones, should be in Conference point scoring distance in both the 200 meters and 400 meters. Further depth is added through Kalane Abbey (Laurel HS), who finished fourth in the indoor 500 meters at the Maryland state meet and third and fifth respectively in the 400 meters and 200 meters in the Outdoor session. All five runners could make UMBC dominant in the long sprinting domain for the next four years.

The short sprints will be led by freshman Mercedes Jackson (Huntington, HS), who made her mark on

Imani Colbert - Sr.

Maryland high school athletics the past two years by winning three individual state titles and finishing second two additional times in a variety of sprint events from 55 meters to 300 meters. Her times are good enough already to get her in the finals at the Conference meet, and with a little improvement over high school and adjustment to new intensity level, Jackson could be on the podium from year one. Also filling a need in the event will be fellow freshman Ebonique Jones (William Penn HS, DE), a four-time State Champion in Delaware in the short sprints. Jones, like Jackson, should figure into the scoring at the America East Conference meet as a first year runner.

The hurdles return school record holder Imani Colbert, who came off a season in which she finished fourth in the America East Championships and fifth at the ECAC Championships in the 55 meter hurdles. She continued the momentum through the outdoor season bettering her school record in the 100 meter hurdles and almost became the first Retriever to break the fourteen second barrier. Joining her this year will be junior Chowan Brightful who will be focusing on individual events after an ECAC qualifying performance in the pentathlon. Brightful made great strides in the hurdle events last season, running times quick enough during her multi-events to score in the individual event.

Distance:

Coach Matt Gittermann returns for his fourth years heading up the distance aspect of the track events and is expecting a lot out of the younger individuals. “I think our main strength is in the mid-distance events, which also happens to be the strength of the Conference, the key there will be ensuring our younger kids raise their game accordingly to that challenge,” said Gittermann. “In recent years, it appears to be easier to get the points in the longer events like the three thousand and five thousand, however we haven’t quite made that jump just yet. But like the mid-distance events last year, we should be able to start making ourselves a factor.”

Andrew Smith quickly became a force within the America East Conference, finishing sixth at the Indoor

Andrew Smith - So.

Conference Championships and fourth at the Outdoor Championships in the 800 meters. He ended the year as the second fastest 800 meter runner in school history behind the departed Michael Christmas. Should he pick up where he left off, he is in contention for a spot on the podium at the Conference meet in only his second year. Joining Smith as an IC4A qualifier in the 800 meters and also in the 1000 meters is Jake Albino. Also a sophomore, Albino will look to break in the scoring in the 1000 meters where he has the potential to end up on the podium, while lending some depth to the Mile. Senior Roy Jones returns for his final campaign after breaking out in the 1000 meters last season finishing seventh in the Conference and garnering an IC4A qualifying time in the process. With proper progression and another year under his belt, Jones could challenge for a top three finish. Aiding in the mid-distance events will be freshman Charles Bolinger (Eleanor Roosevelt HS) who finished second in Maryland during the Indoor State Championships and fifth during the Outdoor State Championships. Bolinger, like Smith last year, could find himself in the finals of the 800 meter run, in position to pick up some points for the Retrievers. The mile will bring senior Tim Jones to the line, who had his best cross country season yet a year after nipping eighth in the mile, arguably one of the toughest events in the conference. Should he continue his trend of improvement from year to year, he should improve his standing in the Conference and possibly get an IC4A berth.

As the events swing to the longer distance, the one-two punch from the cross country season of Brandan

Brandan McGee - So.

McGee and Todd Cowing should lead the way. McGee nearly missed out of the scoring in the 3,000 meter and 5,000 meter run at last year’s conference meet, but worked his way into a fifth and eighth place finish in the steeple and 5,000 meter in the Outdoor conference meet as a freshman. Already one of the top runners in school history, he has the potential to take down a couple school marks during the indoor season. Cowing had a break out season during cross country and looks poised to build upon it and break into the conference scoring in both the 3,000 and 5,000 meter runs. Both should be the first IC4A qualifiers in these events during the indoor season in recent memory for UMBC.

“With the women being so young, its kind of hard to gauge what we have until the year begins to progress,” said Gittermann when asked about their prospects. “However, in terms of the culture we built during the cross country season, if we continue to develop that, we should be able to start having a larger team impact, rather than just an individual impact like we have been having in year’s past.” For the first time in past couple years, it appears that the women’s 4×800 meter relay could be aiming for a podium finish, with many women on the cusp of entering the scoring at the Indoor Conference meet.

Cody Mezebish - So.

The women’s distance crew, much like the sprint group, is dominated by freshmen and sophomores. For the mid-distance events, Cody Mezebish appears ready to have a break out season after being the second runner during the second half of the cross country season. Splitting time between the 500 meters and 800 meters, she could potentially make an impact in either event, and slide into the scoring in the 800 meters. Freshmen Mary Katherine Kulp (Vestal HS, NY) and Katrin Baumann (Landshut, Germany) should be able to step right in and challenge for Conference points as well. Kulp, mainly a steeplechaser, will look to move into the points in the 1000 meters after qualifying for the New York State Meet last year in this event, while Baumann will be splitting time between the mile and the 800 meters having had run the equivalent of 5:00 in the mile in recent years. The three of them should be able to put together a 4×800 meters that could make an impact at the Conference level.

Keri Wilson - Sr.

The longer events will be led by the lone upperclassman, Keri Wilson. Wilson enjoyed a great cross country season hitting personal best times for the 5,000 meters and 6,000 meters. Her 5,000 meter time on grass nearly eclipsed her track 5,000 meter personal best time, suggesting that a massive drop should be in the works in the near future. Joining her will be sophomore Kirsten McGovern who was one of the most improved runners on the cross country team and the freshmen duo of Alyse Gibson (Reservoir HS) and Julie Gessler (Institute of Notre Dame), both who were in the top four of most of the cross country races.

Throws:

For the throwing events, first year coach Peter Koumlelis takes the reigns of one of the more dominant event groups after coaching the past couple years at the University of Hartford. “Its exciting to come in and work with a successful and established group of athletes. And its my hope we can extend their versatility into multiple events, and raise their abilities in the events they have already found success,” said Coach Koumlelis.

With four consecutive Conference titles in the Shot Put in four opportunities for returning junior Amanda

Amanda Deller - Jr.

Deller, there is not much left for improvement. However, as one of the most decorated throwers in school history, Deller is looking to expand her dominance into the weight throw circle as well  a year after finishing second in the event behind a graduated senior. As always, UMBC dominance in the shot will continue with senior Chrissy Robinson returning after a fourth place finish a year ago. With a Conference championship to her name in the Shot, she looks greatly improved in the weight and could become a factor in that event. Returning as well will be sophomore Emma Mayne ,who finished seventh in the shot last year, and freshman Monica Hagenauer (Parkland HS, PA) which gives the Retrievers four athletes who could finish in the top eight in both the shot and weight this year.

Cameron McDearmon - Jr.

Two of the top throwers in UMBC history return in senior Aaron Brooks and junior Cameron McDearmon. School record holder in the shot put, Brooks will be looking to cap off a stellar four year career with a Conference title after finishing fourth last year, however his biggest competition may be McDearmon who finished third in both the shot and the weight at last year’s Indoor Conference Championships. Brooks has been much improved in the weight through the fall, and thus we could see two Retrievers on the podium this year. Sophomore Ray Stinsman finished just outside the scoring in the shot with a ninth place finish at last year’s conference meet and should move into the finals this year. Add in freshman Nnamdi Edokobi (Richard Montgomery HS) who could nip a point in the shot, and half the throwers in the finals at the Conference meet could be UMBC.

Jumps:

The jumping events will fall under the supervision of former UMBC Retrievers, Nick Burnett and Brian Pendleton, both who return for their second year of coaching with the program. Coach Burnett will be handling high jump and pole vault, while Coach Pendleton will be guiding the horizontal jumpers.

Momodou Drammeh - So.

Last season, sophomore Momodou Drammeh narrowly missed on the Conference championships in the high jump, tying for first, but sliding to third on misses through previous attempts. An IC4A qualifier in the process, Drammeh should battle for the Conference title once again and could be only the third Retriever in history to go over 6′ 10″ during the indoor season.

The triple jump returns Conference runner-up Aboshioma Obemeata who should once again contend for the Conference title and push the fifty foot barrier during the indoor season. Depth in the event could be provided by freshman Kyle Mitchell who was well over the forty-four foot barrier last season in high school and the return of Proctor and Drammeh who with more experience under their belt, should greatly improve in the event.

The long jump will see a trio of Retrievers trying to make it to the next level in junior Sean Cooper, sophomore Dosu Teyibo, and Obemeata. Cooper saw limited action last season but showed the potential to be a consistent twenty-two foot jumper. Add in Teyibo and Obemeata, and should the group as a whole make the next step, it could develop into a deep event for the Retrievers.

Chowan Brightful - Jr.

For the women, junior Chowan Brightful will be a major part of the jumps crew, possibly seeing time in all three events. Potentially her best event, Brightful finished fourth in the high jump as an individual a day after competing in the pentathlon. With her focus on individual events this year, we could see her challenge for a podium finish, and possibly take down the school record.

In the long jump Brightful will be joined by indoor school record holder, senior Kiki Malamo-Paris. After just missing out on scoring at last year’s Conference Championships, Malamo-Paris has shown the potential for a top five or top three finish in this event. She will be joined by a duo of freshmen, including Ebonique Jones who finished second at the Delaware State Championships last year and Whitney Ikpeze who finished fourth at the Maryland State Championships.

Returning in the vault will be school record holder Laura Walker who will be finishing up her career this year. Walker made huge advances in performances last year, moving from the lower ten foot range, up to the nearly eleven feet. She will be joined by senior Katie Miller, who has been injured the past two years, but as a freshman, nearly vaulted ten feet.

Heptathlon

Typically one of the strongest events for the Retrievers over the years , they will need to reload after losing Keith Onto and Dom Devaud to graduation. However, their spots could be quickly filled by freshmen Malte Bertram (Einbeck, Germany) and Eric Ezenwanne (Oakland Mills HS). Bertram a seasoned multi-event athlete and Under-18 400 meter Champion in Germany, he could contend for a podium finish within his first year, in addition to possibly adding support in the 400 meter and long jump individual events. Ezenwanne, a jack of all trades in high school, will be looking towards his first multi-event this year. Depending on his development in the new events, his athleticism alone could carry him into the points at the Conference meet.

School Records and All-Time Top 10 List: