Track and Field Media Guide

6
2007-2008 Track and Field Preview
The North Park Track and Field teams enter the 2008
season with aspirations of improving their conference standing.
There were several athletes that contributed to the team scores
in 2007, and will be returning to the squad in the coming year.
With the addition of several new faces to the team, there looks
to be a great opportunity to seize the track and run, jump, or
throw for those conference titles.
Men’s Team
Returning at the top of the men’s team is Lucas De Jong, who
will be looking to improve on his sixth-place finish in the discus
throw and shot put throw. Also returning at the top of the
conference and making a run for the title will be Senior Kevin
Adams in the javelin throw. Senior Marcus Simmons will be
looked to as he provides leadership and heart on board the
Vikings’ voyage.
In the throws, several new faces are going to be looked to as
they have the potential to make an immediate impact in the
field. Joe Orsini and Lars Tenglin will be looking to grab some
conference points this coming season. Herbert Obah returns
and is looking to join De Jong on the quest toward the top
of the conference standings.
In the sprints, seniors
Jordan Gyuricza and
Joel Ylagan will be
joined by sprinters from
the football squad with
hopes of being able to
run for the relay titles.
The training and heart of
these speed athletes will
bring some highlights to
North Park University’s
sprint squad.
In the jumps, Ylagan returns
after a year hiatus
to compete for the long
jump title. He will be
joined in this quest by
Marcus Simmons
newcomer Norman Perez,
a former teammate
from Lane Tech H.S. The two will join forces in hopes of taking
the reigns of the CCIW long jump championships.
In the distance, returnee James Williams will be leading the
journey through the packs towards the front of the group.
Freshman runner Chris Roe is going to be a great addition to
the squad that will hopefully carry the team to new heights and
swifter races.
Several other returners and newcomers will be looking to improve
for a chance to compete at the top of the
conference.
Women’s Team
Returning on the women’s team and looking to have an impact
in the conference are sophomore Erika Rees and
Colleen Bielfeldt. Both will be looked to for their leadership as
well as desire to continually perform better than the week before.
Bielfeldt will compete in the hurdles and multi-events, and
Rees will be running for one of the top spots in the 400-meter
dash.
In the sprints, newcomers
will be looked
to as the team fills the
relays and runs for the
titles. With a young
squad and a lot of
enthusiasm, speed is
going to be of the essence
with the additions
of Nicole Cripe
and Jeannetta Johnson.
Also 400-meter
hurdler Amy Perez will
bring a lot of enthusiasm
and hard work to
the sprint squad.
In the jumps, Johnson
and Beilfeldt hope to
make a splash as they Katherine Jemine
land in the sand and
gun for a spot or two at the conference
championships.
In the throws, freshman Katherine Jemine will be looking to use
her strength in the shot put and, with some training, improve to
become a contender in the various throwing events.
In the distance, junior Laura Papageorgiou will lead the group as
the top returning athlete. She will be joined by several 800-meter
runners, including senior Kalina Hartliep who will compete
in the middle distances.
The North Park Track and Field season will be filled with excitement
and unexpected performances, all of which will help
carry the team to the CCIW championships in May. North Park
University will be hosting this year’s CCIW
Outdoor Championships.