Harper on track for big weekend
Harper College’s track and field program could be in for a big weekend if it can perform up to its national rankings.
The women’s team is ranked No. 1 in NJCAA Division III (non-scholarship schools) and the men’s team is ranked No. 2 going into the national meet at Alfred State University in Alfred, N.Y. Competition begins today and runs through Saturday.
The Hawks have qualified 33 athletes to nationals.
“Because (we) have depth (we are) able to score big points” said Harper men’s and women’s head coach Renee Zellner.
If the Harper men are to win its second title in three seasons it will have to beat some stiff competition in No. 4 Alfred State and No. 5 Gloucester County College (N.J.). Alfred State has not won the men’s championship since 2000.
“Alfred looks really good” Zellner said of the Pioneers.
If the No. 1 team in the country can be a darkhorse Zellner believes that’s SUNY-Delhi (N.Y.).
“Delhi is our No. 1 competition and that’s why they’re No. 1,” Zellner said. “We have so much strength in so many areas.”
If the Hawks could have scored more points from their distance runners in 2010, they probably would have won the title. They are looking to make more of an impact this time as freshman Pablo Ramirez is ranked No. 1 in the 15,000 meters and No. 2 in the 5,000.
The biggest strength for the Harper men may be in the field with a multitude of qualifiers. Xzavier Kimbrough, Jarrett Austin and Mark Munick all look to score points in the decathlon.
In the jumping events the Hawks are led by three ranked high jumpers in Austin, Robert Douglas and Fuad Agoro.
If quick-twitch speed is your need, the Harper men have that covered with sprinters Greg Kennedy and Steve Schalla looking to make strong contributions. Terrance Wright is ranked fourth in the 200, Zellner is looking for Garrett Dorsey to win the 400 and the Hawks have the second-ranked 400 relay.
The Harper women are looking to win the program’s first national title.
“We should be able to win (the national championship) if everybody is healthy,” said Zellner.
No. 2 Alfred State and No. 3 Mohawk Valley (N.J.) are Harper’s toughest competition.
“Alfred has good distance runners,” Zellner said.
Look for sophomore Janet Franco (Schaumburg), who is ranked second in the 10,000, to carry the torch for the Harper woman’s distance team.
“We have strong sprinters and hurdlers,” Zellner said of Lillie Blackmon, Susie Lello and Jazmin Calep.
Zellner also said her throwers will be tough with Anne Craigen, Erica Ogunleye and redshirt sophomore and 2009 national champion shot putter Betsy Bailey of Palatine.
Bailey is ranked No. 1 in the discus and is in the top three in the hammer.
Bailey is returning to the ring after receiving a medical redshirt after tearing her MCL and ACL while playing for the Harper women’s basketball team.
“She has made the adjustments very well,” Zellner said of Bailey. “It comes down to the day we compete.”