Tim Gaal

The Wittenberg University men's and women's track and field teams took some graduation hits following another outstanding season in 2003, but the cupboard is far from bare and expectations are high again in 2004.

Any conversation about Wittenberg track and field in 2004 has to begin with senior hurdler Skip Ivery (Columbus, Ohio/Groveport-Madison), who is etching his name in the school record books again and again. Ivery has won the NCAC 55-meter hurdles indoor championship three straight years and the NCAC 110-meter hurdles outdoor championship two straight years. And last year, he broke through on the national scene as well, finishing second in the NCAA Division III 55-meter hurdles indoor championship and then capturing first place in the NCAA Division III 100-meter hurdles championship. Ivery was just the third individual Wittenberg athlete to win a national championship, and the first to do it in 20 years.

Ivery is back in 2004, hoping to build upon his individual accomplishments of a year ago while leading a relatively young men's team brimming with talent. He won't have to lead by himself, however, as seniors Tim Gaal (Amanda, Ohio/Clearcreek) and Alex Yurovitsky (Richmond Heights, Ohio/Lyndhurst Brush) also have experience and a track record of outstanding results as well. Gaal was the 2003 NCAC Outdoor Field Events Athlete of the Year and is the school and conference record-holder in the javelin. He earned All-America honors by finishing second in the javelin at the NCAA Division III Outdoor Championships in 2003. Yurovitsky, who competes in sprints and throws, has earned All-NCAC accolades in his collegiate career.

Kelly Zilli

In addition, a trio of juniors deserve mention as well. Joe Rumschlag (Maumee, Ohio/Toledo Christian) in the sprints and jumps, Jason Toman (Greenville, Ohio/Greenville) in the hurdles and Clyde Mayer (Hilliard, Ohio/Davidson)in the throws are all standouts. Rumschlag has scored at least 15 points in every NCAC Championship meet in his career, while Toman and Mayer have both garnered all-conference awards in their careers.

On the women's side, three seniors and a junior share the preseason spotlight, but like the men there are plenty of talented underclassmen ready to break onto the scene. Leading the charge will be seniorsKelly Zilli (Dayton, Ohio/Kettering Alter)in the middle distance and jumps, Geri Woessner (Dayton, Ohio/Oakwood) in multiple events and Becky Barnes (Williamsport, Ohio/Westfall) in the distance and junior Ayisha Kinamore (Cincinnati, Ohio/Colerain) in the hurdles and jumps.

Zilli has multiple All-NCAC honors to her name, and she holds one individual school record and was part of two record-setting indoor relays. Barnes is the team's top distance runner and was all-region in cross country in 2003. Kinamore has great potential in several events, most notably the two hurdles races.

Rounding things, Woessner won the NCAC heptathlon championship in her first two years, taking Outdoor Field Events Athlete of the Year honors as well. She slipped to second in the event a year ago, just months after a major knee injury that sidelined her for the entire basketball season.