Underclassmen make up about three-fourths of Eastern’s roster. However, the Panthers are still expecting to be contenders for the Ohio Valley Conference indoor title in late February. Head coach Mary Wallace said she thinks having a young roster can prove to be beneficial.

“They are always energetic and excited and it makes things a lot more fun,” Wallace said. “It is almost like the Tony Romo effect on the Dallas Cowboys. He is all excited to be there and be a part of it and being in the action that it helps energize everyone else to keep moving in the right direction.”

Along with the younger women there are four senior captains: Jillian Blondell, Nicole Flounders, Nicolene Galas and Nicole Marczewski.

“We have a really strong sophomore class,” Blondell said. “All the younger girls are a good bunch of girls. They are all really motivated and we are all focusing on maybe getting that ring and winning the OVC’s.”

Sophomores coming back from productive freshman seasons include sprinter Violet Nwordu and jumpers Vicki Dzura and Jenna Uhe.

Injuries

The distance runners had four key women sit out the cross country season that may be making a comeback. Senior Sarah Selby (stress fractures), juniors Kim Archer (knee) and Mallory Fellers (hip), and sophomore Jessica Blondell (hamstring) are trying to get back into running shape for track this season.

“I feel really confident,” Selby said. “Two weeks ago I was just like ‘blah’, running was hard. I couldn’t do a mile without being out of breath and it just comes back really fast for me. After basically a year of injuries and problems, I am doing better than I thought I would be at this point.”

Selby is not the only one that seems to be improving.

“Sarah and Kim seem to be running pretty solid right now,” said distance coach Geoff Masanet. “Jess and Mallory are still working their way through those injuries but it is still a little early to tell exactly what is going on.”

The field is prepared

Wallace said she believes that the field events, especially the jump crew, may be the strongest area for the Panthers this year.

Galas is a potential pole vaulting conference champion and sophomore pole vaulter Tricia Gaumer did well last year and has also improved this fall, Wallace said.

“We have a lot of depth,” said Gaumer. “We are all sophomores and seniors on the jump crew so we are ready. We have at least that year under our belt nerve wise. We can handle big meets and competition. That is an advantage we have to the freshmen coming in who maybe had good conferences and sectionals in high school but the collegiate level is a lot different.”

Wallace also said the throwers are going to look strong with two returning sophomores. Angela Stoczynski and Nicole Walcott. As well as freshman Kandace Arnold.

Turkey Trials

On Nov. 17, the Panthers held the Turkey Trials, which is basically an intra-squad meet that helps judge where the athletes are at the beginning of the season.

Wallace said she was pleased with the results overall.

“For instance in the sprint group where we had just one girl running at like 61 (seconds) in the 400 last year, this year we had four that were at that level,” Wallace said. “Tarra Grant didn’t run Turkey Trials nor did Chandra (Golden) and they are two of our top sprinters. I think we have added depth and quality and that also isn’t counting the three young ladies coming in from rugby.”

Wallace said sophomore Shawana Smith has had a great fall of training and she ran the 200-meter dash in 25.98.

Walcott had a good day in the trials, winning the women’s shot put and the women’s high jump.

“Overall we have a lot of quality athletes on our team, great training in the fall in terms of the non-cross country kids,” Wallace said. “Everyone is really positive about upcoming season and they are eager to go. It has been an exciting fall and in terms of talent, we are definitely in hunt for the championship.”