The Collegian

Issue date: 1/22/09 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Andrew Dodson Indoor Track and Field already began their season with provisionary national qualifying numbers.

Media Credit: Andrew Dodson Sophomore Erin Brunko runs with the Irish

Media Credit: Andrew Dodson Junior Jared Krout gives it his all in the long jump.

The Hillsdale College Indoor track team looks to maintain forward momentum after a great showing last week at the Notre Dame Indoor Opener. They host the first annual Jack McAvoy Memorial Invitational Friday, and head out to Marion, Ind. for the Indiana Wesleyan meet Saturday.

Excitement builds around this year's squad as the beginning of the season already procured a new record in the pole vault and a few provisionary national qualifying numbers.

At Notre Dame , seniors Andrew Dodson and Jared Krout and sophomore Marta Scheiwe all took first in their events.

Lundberg reports five provisional qualifying numbers so far this season: Junior Aaron Falk and sophomore Justin Dailey in the weight throw, Krout for the 200-meter dash, senior Sarah Kauk in the pole vault and Scheiwe for her effort in the 400-m dash. Dodson fell just shy of the qualifying mark.

Kauk broke the 12-foot school record for pole vaulting she set last year by a quarter of an inch, taking second.

Other promising finishes boding well for the future include freshmen Kathy Dirksen in the 20 lbs. throw and sophomores Amanda Putt in the mile and Will Danko for the 60-m dash.

Team captain for the women, junior Amy Luke, said her squad's confidence is right where it should be for a successful season.

"People are beginning to believe we belong in the conference and that we're not just a small school anymore," Luke said. "Believing is such a big part of it, and everyone is on board this year."

Head coach Bill Lundberg already sees a transformation in the way his team is approaching the year as he attempts to invoke the track spirit of seasons past with this year's theme, "Return to Dominance."

"Everyone's a part of this and wants the best for the team," Lundberg said. "It's an especially exciting time as a young team right now. Our numbers are stronger than they've been in a long time and we're just better as a whole team."

Junior Britton Deuel attributes his excitement for the season to the concentration each part of the team is devoting to their events.

"We're a lot more goal-oriented compared to other years," Deuel said. "Each crew has more or less sat down and laid out specific goals for the season."

Kicking off the weekend with the Jack McAvoy Memorial Invitational will include a special presentation for the McAvoy family to honor the late Charger icon, John H. "Jack" McAvoy, who passed away last May.

McAvoy faithfully served his alma mater for almost 30 years in many capacities - most notably as its athletic director.

The special presentation will represent much more than honoring a great man of the college - for many, including Lundberg it is remembering a dear friend.

Lundberg said the presentation is meant to honor Hillsdale's past as well as keeping things in perspective for the future.

"He was a great man and a Charger through and through," Lundberg said. "[The presentation] is to keep our athletes in touch with those kinds of leaders that are the heart and soul of Hillsdale College as they continue throughout the season."

The presentation will take place during the meet, around 6:15 p.m.

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