Harper harbors national title hopes
The Harper College track season opens today as the Hawks take part in the North Park Relays.
The Harper men, who finished third at last season’s NJCAA national meet, are the top-ranked team in the NJCAA Division III preseason poll.
“They were phenomenal last year,” said Harper coach Renee Zellner of last season’s squad.
One of the strengths of both the men’s and women’s teams may be depth.
The Harper men only had one major loss from last season, in hammer throw where Trak Meyer contributed big points.
Zellner brings in a talented group of freshmen that should help shore up any needs. Robert Dougles and Ben Raiber will take the blocks in the hurdles.
Zellner will look to a pair of freshmen — Cisco Soto (Lake Zurich) and Jake Frizler (Schaumburg) — to run the 800. Pablo Ramirez (Conant) is an up-and-comer who could gain a lot of accolades in the future. Zellner called Ramirez an “exciting distance runner.”
Ryan Wojdyla (Palatine) will run middle distance races. Other athletes to watch include Steve Heer, Terence Wright, Greg Kennedy and thrower Gary Jackson.
Key returners Garrett Dorsey (Wauconda), Ruad Agoro, Sargon Youssef and Jarrett Austin will compete in the jumping events and pole vault. Chris Hoffman (Hoffman Estates) will run distance events.
Also returning is the fourth-place finisher in the decathlon at last year’s national meet, Xzavier Kimbro. He will also compete in the hurdles and pole vault.
The most decorated returner is Mark Nieman. He finished third in the decathlon at nationals last year and also earned All-American honors in the pole vault.
Ÿ The No. 2-ranked Harper women’s team will be led by two defending national champioins.
De’Larissa Morris (Streamwood) won the heptathlon last season and also earned All-American honors in the long jump. She will be counted on to run in relays.
The Hawks also welcome back 2009 shot put champion Betsy Bailey (Palatine). Bailey, a two year member of the Hawks women’s basketball team, returns to the shot put ring after tearing both her MCL and ACL right during the 2009-10 basketball season.
The Hawks lost the services of All-American shot-putter Robin Bingham, who earned a track scholarship to Loyola (Chicago).
Accompanying Bailey will be throwers Anne Craigen (Conant) and Erica Ogunleye (Hoffman Estates).
Lille Blackmon (Buffalo Grove), Jazmin Calep, Susie Lello and Sabina Marek are a capable foursome who will be looked upon to score some points.
Karoline Banasik will be asked to contribute in four events (800, pole vault and high jump and hepathlon.)
After competing for the women’s cross country team in the fall, Janet Franco (Schaumburg) will lead the Harper distance effort.
“We’re looking to try to win a national championship for both the men and the women,” Zellner said.