March 10, 2005
SANTA CLARA, Calif. - A new era for Santa Clara University athletics begins Saturday as the newly-established Bronco outdoor track team will take to the oval for the first time as an NCAA sponsored program at the Aggie Track and Field Classic in Davis, Calif.
Approximately 30 men and women will represent the Broncos in the team's inaugural competition in events ranging from 400 to 5,000 meters. Santa Clara announced the addition of its track program in December after registering a number of successful seasons in cross country.
"Both the men and women are extremely excited to start this inaugural track season," said head coach Tom Service." "Ever since the announcement was made to make the program an NCAA sponsored sport this season, we have been looking forward to getting out on the track and competing as a team. It is going to be an exciting day and a great competition."
The first competition for Santa Clara will be the women's 5,000-meters, which will begin at 11:30 a.m. on the Woody Wilson Track. After a 15-month break from competition due to injury, sophomore Shannon Bell will return to the track. A 2003 All-West Coast Conference selection in cross country, Bell will anchor SCU's hopes in the 5,000-meters. Also competing in the race will be the 2004 Bronco Cross Country Invitational winner, Jessica Baldwin-Philippi, along with Kiley Strong and Blossom Marimpietri.
At 12:40 p.m., the SCU women will race in the 1,500-meters. A pair of sophomores in Kristen Morse and Andrea Roosen will both compete in the race, along with the 800-meters at 2:30 p.m.
In between the 1,500 and 800-meter races, four Bronco women will compete in the 400-meters. Cross country veteran Carrie Pogorelc and a trio of newcomers in Julie Erickson, Caitlin O'Keefe and Jeanette Cole will all take to the oval in the shortest event in which the Broncos will compete.
In the last of the women's individual races, a pair of talented freshman will make their Bronco track debuts. Adriane Puetz and Ann Thomas, who both were integral members of the 2004 SCU Cross Country squad, will compete in the 3,000-meters at 3:40 p.m. Fellow Bronco harriers Erin Davis and Lauren Verrilli will also compete in the race.
Rounding out the women's schedule on Saturday will be the 1,600-meter relay at 4:20. The exact lineup for the Broncos will be determined after the completion of the individual events.
On the men's side, racing will kick off at 12:50 p.m. with the 1,500-meters. Seven different Broncos will compete in the event, including All-WCC cross country performer Michael Delaurenti and veterans Chris Doerhoff and John Paul Thyken. Chris Furnari, Taylor Graham, Nick Arcelona and Michael Hannon will also be in the field.
Junior Daniel Bettencourt and freshman Charles Flexman will both compete in the 800-meters at 2:40 p.m.
In the longest event of the day for the men, Andrew Blumel and Christen Gumbs will take to the track for the 5,000-meters. The race will begin at 3:55 p.m. to close out the meet's individual events.
Two Bronco teams are expected to compete in the men's 1,600-meter relay, which is set to start at 4:30 p.m. in the meet's final race.
