Track and field battle opponents, weather
Campus Times
February 27, 1998
For the University of La Verne track and field teams there are many
things that can slow down the pace of the season, but in 1998, El Niño
is the main obstacle for the Leopards.
La Verne starts out of the gates this year after a stellar showing last
season which placed both the men's and women's teams in the top 15 in the
nation for Division III.
"Last year was very exciting for our team and probably the best
single season for La Verne in track and field," said head coach Pat
Widolff. "It was great to have our men finish 14th and our women 12th
in the nation."
This season La Verne welcomes back sprinter and team leader junior Ordell
Williams, who last year won the long jump event at Southern California Intercollegiate
Athletic Conference (SCIAC) Finals with a jump of 22'11 3/4" and was
a leg in the 4x100m relay team. Williams helped the men's team finish third
in SCIAC on the way to Nationals.
"Ordell will definitely be our top sprinter this year, and we have
high hopes for him," said Widolff.
Another key return is a double dose from twin sisters Katrina and Patrina
Hall, seniors, who also picked up accolades on their way to Nationals and
helped the women's team win the SCIAC Championship.
Katrina had a stand out year in 1997, picking up the SCIAC women's MVP,
the first time a La Verne student had received the award in school history.
Hall also won first place in the 100m with a time of 15.67 in the conference
championships, posted second in the long jump and triple jump and third
in the high jump.
Patrina Hall did well, respectively, in her events and was a leg on
both the first place 4x100m and 4x400m relay teams, which achieved top five
status in the nation during the season.
Other key women returners include junior sprinter and thrower Stephanie
Castillo, sophomore thrower Eboni White, who finished second in the discuss
at the championships and sophomore thrower Rhiannon Jensen, who placed second
in the shot put and third in the javelin.
Along with experience, the Leopards return this year with a cast of
new faces which Widolff hopes will help his team capture another SCIAC title.
Leading the list of freshman to the team is hurdler Ryan Travavilli,
long and triple jumper Andre Ike, standout long jumper Steve Myers and long
distance runner Mario Guerrero, who looks to make an impact in the 1,500m
this year.
"This is the best freshman class I have worked with in a long time
as head coach," said Widolff.
According to Widolff, La Verne's strong points this season will be its
women sprinters and both men's and women's throwers.
"Basically I want everyone to break personal records and become
the best they can be this season," he said.
With the first chance to showcase their skills this year, the women's
and men's track teams of La Verne traveled to Strehle Track at Pomona College
last Saturday to take part in the Pomona-Pitzer's All-Comers Track and Field
Meet.
Throughout the day, there were many Leopards that had great outings.
Highlighting the top performances included the likes of sophomore Katie
Holmes and White, who placed fifth and sixth, respectively in the women's
discus. Holmes top throw of the day marked 117'. White, not far behind,
hurled her disc 113'6.
In the men's 200m, La Verne's efforts were represented by Freshman Nate
Swift. His time of 23.60 seconds earned him a second place finish in the
third heat.
In the women's 200m, it was Patrina Hall registering 25.85 seconds good
enough to earn the sixth spot out of 22 competitors. Hall still shining
from an earlier outing in the 100m in which she had been clocked at 12.4
seconds earning her fifth place out of a competitive field of 22 sprinters.
Across the track, the other half of the Hall sister tandem was at work.
Katrina Hall took fourth place in the triple jump with a leap of 36'2. In
flight two of the women's long jump, she was able to soar 16'6" to
land in sixth place over all. Junior Lynsey Best also added to ULV's accomplishments
with her personal best in the women's long jump at 15'0".
The sun was still shining bright as the men hurdlers took the track.
Junior Lavelle Wilson had a quick start in the men's 400m hurdles. Wilson,
who was competing in a field of about 12 runners, pulled out a glorious
second place finish, clocking in at 57.6 seconds. Not to be outshined was
a time of 15.14 in the men's 110m hurdles by freshman Sam Dodd, good enough
for a second place finish against 11 other runners.
One of the best performances of the day belonged to White. Out of 17
throwers, White's throw of 37'9" earned her second place over all.
Last but certainly not least was a strong running in the 4x400m relay
by the men's team. Taking first in their heat was a team anchored by freshman
sensation Kyle Young, who brought home a final time of 3:28.24.
"I'm excited," said Widolff. "Despite having such a young
team, our kids did really well."
The track and field teams will compete in an All Comers meet at Claremont-Mudd-Scripps
tomorrow and will host a SCIAC Quad Meet against Pomona-Pitzer, Redlands,
and Cal Lutheran March 7.
