April 1, 2005
SANTA CLARA, Calif. - After a week off from competition, the Santa Clara outdoor track teams will return to action on Saturday at the 24th Annual Johnny Mathis Invitational, hosted by San Francisco State. The meet, which will feature over 600 competitors from Division I, Division II, Division III, junior college, and sponsored track clubs, will be held at Cox Stadium in San Francisco.
On the men's side, freshman Christen Gumbs will be the first to compete, as he races in the 3,000-meters. Part of a large and talented freshman class, Gumbs is looking to start the second half of the season off right. Fellow freshmen Charles Flexman, Chris Furnari, Christian Ochoa and Brady Pivirotto will be joined by sophomore Daniel Bettencourt in the 800-meters. The group is hoping to dip under the two minute mark for the first time this season. The race also marks the first time Ochoa will race as a Bronco.
The remainder of the Bronco squad will be competing in the 5,000-meters at 4 p.m. Led by freshman Michael Delaurenti and junior Chris Doerhoff, the 5k contingent is ready to attack the 15:00 barrier. Joining Delaurenti and Doerhoff up front will be 1,500 meter specialists John Paul Thyken and Taylor Graham. Saturday will by Graham's first attempt at the 5k distance. Also competing in the 5,000-meters are freshmen Michael Hannon and Andrew Blumel. They will be joined by Sophomore Nick Arcelona.
The 800-meter runners will close out the meet with a distance 4x4 relay.
The women's events will get started with the 3,000-meter race. The Broncos will be led by a pair of four-year seniors, Katie Hansen and Robin Bell. The cross country standouts will test themselves over the seven and three-quarter lap race. Outstanding freshman Adriane Puetz will also test herself at this distance. Lauren Swigart will return to the oval after a lengthy bout with a stress fracture. Former Bishop Blanchet runner, Lauren Verrelli will complete the Bronco contingent in this race.
Sophomores Andrea Roozen and Kristen Morse will look to hammer their previous best time in the 1,500-meters, also known as the Metric Mile.
The group of Julie Ericson, Carrie Pogorelc, Jeanette Cote, and Caitlin O'Keefe will test their 400-meter ability against some of the Bay Area speedsters in the open and relay races.
The day will conclude with the heart of the women's distance team in the 5,000-meter race. Shannon Bell leads the group as she looks to dip under 18 minutes for the first time. Blossom Marimpietri has looked great in practice and will lead the threesome of Jessica Baldwin-Philippi, Kiley Strong, and Ann Thomas in establishing new personal bests.
