Back on Track and in the Field
LOS ANGELES, Calif. (Jan. 31, 2008) – Oxy track and field teams are in a unique position in the SCIAC entering the 2008 season in that they did not lose a single point from last year’s conference championship to graduation. Consequently both the men and women will be looking to build on a pair of 4th place finishes in 2007.
The men welcome back two individual SCIAC champions in senior Alex Ramon (3000m steeplechase) and Kevin Chaves (5000m). Ramon finished third in the nation at the NCAA Championships while Chaves won his second SCIAC title in three years in their respective events.
Oxy will look to the senior pair of Chris Kyles and James Sabo to score big points in the throws, while junior Joe Hernandez, senior Tyler Phillips, and junior Andy Dakopolos will be looking to progress in the sprints. Junior Galen Smith will be a threat in the distance events as will sophomore Sam Huie in the jumps.
Joining the 2008 squad is a solid group of recruits who should make an impact including David Minguez (pole vault), Michael Fox (sprinter) and Dallon Stang (thrower).
For the women’s team another pair of individual SCIAC champions return in junior Kera Bartlett and sophomore Maddie Weissman. During a breakout season in 2007, Bartlett set a new school record in the pole vault, finishing sixth at the NCAA Championships.
Also returning for the Tigers will be sophomores Elissa Chandler and Karuna Batcha who look to establish themselves among the top hurdlers in the SCIAC as well as junior Molly Frolich and senior Kadiatou Martin who will likely score some big points in the throws.
A number of events on the women’s side should yield a huge amount of points in 2007, including junior transfer Sandra Martinez whose time in the 800m would have placed her among the Top-3 in the SCIAC a year ago. Oxy will be tough to beat in the pole vault with freshman Sam Nasstrom joining sophomore Lisa Warren, and junior Patty Armentrout and Bartlett who all scored last year.
The Tigers open the season on the road at the Northern Arizona Invitational on Saturday, Feb. 2.
