VIDEO: CAC Women's Indoor Track & Field Pre-Championship Webcast
Christopher Newport is a perfect two-for-two at the indoor championships since joining the Capital Athletic Conference in 2013, and seeks its third straight title this weekend at the 2016 CAC Women's Indoor Track & Field Championships.
The Captains will once again serve as the host of the championship meet, set for a 10 a.m. start at the Freeman Center on the CNU campus.
After running away with the title in 2014, CNU (125 points) saw its first-place gap narrow last season as Salisbury (96 points) and Mary Washington (95 points) battled for second and third place, respectively. Salisbury won the CAC title in the initial year of the championship (2012), followed by Mary Washington's first-place effort in 2013.
Wesley finished fourth at the 2015 championship, led by reigning CAC Indoor Athlete of the Year Elizsha Streeter, who will aim to repeat her success from last year when she captured a trio of gold-medal finishes.
For the second straight year, the CAC championship will boast seven competing teams. Penn State Harrisburg introduced its varsity indoor and outdoor program under coach Danielle Lynch last season.
Here is a brief look at each team heading into the 2015 championship:
CHRISTOPHER NEWPORT enters the CAC Championships with high expectations after sweeping both the indoor and outdoor league titles last year. Led by head coach Tyler Wingard, the 2016 Captains boast an impressive collection of talent, including three-time CAC Track Athlete of the Week Logan Harrington. During the year, Harrington has broken the league's 800 and mile records and helped the Distance Medley Relay also set a new conference standard. Meanwhile, Jennifer Westerholm also earned a CAC weekly award and ranks among the league's leaders in the 60-hurdles, high jump, and long jump, while reigning first-team All-Conference selection Briana Stewart sports the CAC's top 3000 time this season.
FROSTBURG STATE boasts plenty of talent even though it might not be as deep as in previous seasons. Sophomore Kayla Truesdel holds the CAC's fastest time in the 200-meter dash this season (26.11), along with the second fastest in the 60 (7.83) and fourth fastest in the 400 (1:00.75). A year ago, Truesdel captured Second Team All-CAC honors in both the 200 and 400 and will look to earn league titles as a sophomore. Freshman Heather Martin is ranked eighth in the triple jump (9.23m), while the 4x400-meter relay is fifth (4:21.96).
A talented cast of throwers will look to lead MARY WASHINGTON at this year's championship. Seniors Elysa Baker and Taylor Cockerille, as well as junior Sheree Turner, head a group of vets that include seniors Claudia Autore, Lauren Braney, Colleen Boyle, Caroline Cerand, Emily Derse, Julie Laszakovits, Sam Park, and Amanda Patterson.
Entering just its second year of competition at the CAC Indoor Championships, PENN STATE HARRISBURG will look to improve on its point total from last year's meet under the guidance of head coach Danielle Lynch. Sophomore sprinter Ashley Williams ranks atop the CAC in the 60-meter hurdles entering the championship meet with a time of 9.05 seconds, while freshman Ashley Peart ranks fourth in the long jump with a mark of 16'-4.25".
SALISBURY heads into the 2016 indoor CAC championships led by junior Meghan McGowan, who leads the league in the high jump with a 5' 5.25" leap. The jumps are a strong point for Salisbury, as junior Sarah Taylor leads the conference in the pole vault (10' 8"). Sophomore Chanel Beaudoin leads the track events for the women. She currently ranks third in the 400-meter dash (1:00.66) and fourth in the 200-meter dash (26.64 seconds); Beaudoin also sits at No. 6 in the 60-meter dash (8.02 seconds). Junior Abby Richards ranks fourth in the 60-meter hurdles with a time of 9.54 seconds, while classmate Delaney Tregoning is sixth in the 800-meter run (2:27.89).
WESLEY enters the CAC Indoor Championships with lofty expectations. Head coach Stephen Kimes has pieced together a very deep and competitive roster that could compete for the CAC title. Freshmen such as Evelina Sloboh, Kaylah Mitchell, and Jourdyn Beverly join a seasoned group of veterans such as Elizsha Streeter and Dieunise Desir with aspirations to gain points in several different events this season. Wesley student-athletes currently hold the CAC's top mark in five different events so far this season, and will look to expand on their success from the campaign so far in the Championship Meet this weekend.
YORK heads into the 2016 CAC Indoor Championships looking to improve on last year's fifth place finish at the championships. Head coach Stephen LoBianco brings a young and promising team to the championships. The Spartans are led by a strong contingent of distance runners led by CAC Women's Cross Country champion Alicia Dillman. Freshman Jess Delviscio has performed well during her first year of indoor competition after earning the CAC Women's Cross Country Rookie of the Year award. Kathleen Cannon, Jenna Roberts, and Emily Cronise are three other key distance runners for York. In the sprints, Marisa Brisbane, Jada Griffin-Howard, and Bria Jones give York athletes that will be strong for York.