Kelly Zilli
The Wittenberg men's and women's track and field teams have a
rare week off as they prepare for the stretch run to the 2004
season and what several individuals hope will be another shot at
national championships.
Over the last three weeks, the Tigers have performed well both as a
team and as individuals at the Defiance Invitational, the Ohio
State Relays and the All-Ohio Invitational at Ohio Wesleyan.
The familiar names continue to pop up in the rundown of results
each week, most notably those of seniors Skip Ivery
(Columbus, Ohio/Groveport-Madison) and Tim Gaal
(Amanda, Ohio/Clearcreek) for the men and Geri
Woessner (Dayton, Ohio/Oakwood) and Kelly Zilli
(Dayton, Ohio/Kettering Alter) for the women.
Skip Ivery
Woessner placed second in the Wittenberg Heptathlon/Decathlon on
April 3 while posting her best score in nearly two years. The
school and conference record-holder in the event, Woessner is
within striking distance of the NCAA Division III qualifying
standard. Zilli has been a consistent winner in her specialty, the
800 meters, while also running on relays. Her time is within two
seconds of NCAA qualification. Neither Woessner or Zilli have
previously made the national meet.
Ivery posted the fastest time in NCAA Division III in the 110-meter
hurdles at the Ohio State meet, and he continues to cross the
finish line first every time he lines up against competition
representing Wittenberg's peer institutions. He was first in the
event and second in the 400-meter hurdles at the All-Ohio Meet,
which earned him NCAC Athlete of the Week. Gaal also was first in
his specialty, the javelin, at the All-Ohio Invitational. His throw
of 194-5 broke the meet record.
Ivery is shooting for his second straight national title in the
110-meter hurdles and Gaal is hoping to improve upon his
second-place finish in 2003. Ivery is a three-time NCAC champion in
his event and Gaal is a two-time conference medalist and the school
and NCAC record-holder.
Next: 4/28 at Otterbein 4/30 at Ohio State