Roanoke College Set to Host

FOREST, Va. --- The ODAC Outdoor Track & Field Championships have proven to be as competitive an event as any in the conference over the last several years.  The 2014 edition of the league's final affair is poised to fall in line as the conference's nine men's and women's track programs head to Salem, Va., and Roanoke College for competition on Friday and Saturday.

ODAC Championship Website
Championship Schedule
Roanoke Host Website

Four men's records and three women's standards were set at the 2013 championships.  If the 2014 campaign is any indication of what we'll see this weekend, then more could be up for grabs.  Entering this week of final preparations, 13 individuals and four relays on the men's side rank inside the top-30 in NCAA Division III in at least one event.  For the women, five individuals and three relays hold that distinction.

Be sure to follow along LIVE as results will be posted HERE as events are finalized.

Below we take a look at each championship event scheduled for the weekend.  Coaches have plenty of options set before them when determined who will compete in what events, so the race for the spots will be exciting.

SPRINTS

MEN'S 100-METER DASH
ODAC Championship Record: Johnathan Smith, GC, 2012 -- 10.72
2013 Champion: Randy Lott, VWC -- 10.77
The Field: Three athletes rank inside the top-30 in the country, led by reigning champ Randy Lott (10.77) from Virginia Wesleyan.  He's currently sixth in the nation.  Washington and Lee features the other two inside that ranking in Aaron Jeong (10.82) and Zander Tallman (10.84) chiming in 22nd and 27th, respectively.  Tallman will not compete in the event this weekend.  Guilford's Josephus Mitchell (10.97) and Shenandoah's Everton Eastwood (10.98) make it five sprinters to eclipse the 11-second mark.

WOMEN'S 100-METER DASH
ODAC Championship Record: Jaleesa Osborne, RC, 2010 -- 11.98
2013 Champion: Alexis Janney, RC -- 12.55
The Field: Lynchburg's Aleshia Washington (12.53) owns the top time this year as the 2012 champ looks to return to the top spot after finishing second by 0.01 seconds last year.  Virginia Wesleyan's Tiffany Lennon (12.69) looks to make a splash in her rookie campaign, while Roanoke's Esther Prempeh (12.70) continues to perform at a high level.  Last year's champ, Alexis Janney (13.03), has some work to do to become a two-time winner in her first two years.

MEN'S 200-METER DASH
ODAC Championship Record: Zander Tallman, W&L, 2012 -- 21.56
2013 Champion: Randy Lott, VWC -- 21.78
The Field: VWC's Randy Lott (21.28) again finds himself at the top of the ODAC season list, but this is also an event where three conference runners rank inside the NCAA's top-30.  Lott's time ranks sixth in the nation, while Lynchburg's Top Sippie (21.78) sits 17th and W&L's Zander Tallman (21.86) is 27th.  The remaining members of the ODAC's top-10 are all within a half-second of each other.

WOMEN'S 200-METER DASH
ODAC Championship Record: Robin Yerkes, RC, 2010 -- 24.72
2013 Champion: Alexis Janney, RC -- 25.19
The Field: Washington and Lee's Dana Lee (26.11) heads up a list of tightly packed competitors that should make this race one to watch.  Lynchburg's Catherine Wallace (26.17), VWC's Shakiella Daniel (26.19) and RC's Jessica Mejia (26.20) are all inside 0.10-seconds of Lee.  Last year's champ, Alexis Janney (26.75) remains a threat to repeat.

MEN'S 400-METER DASH
ODAC Championship Record: Kevin Smith, LC, 1999 -- 48.19
2013 Champion: Zander Tallman, W&L -- 48.51
The Field: The men's sprint continue their theme of national qualification challengers in the 400-meter dash with two ranked inside the top-12.  W&L's Zander Tallman (47.92) looks to make it a four-year sweep in this event, but LC's Tom Sippie (48.34) will look to ruin that.  Sippie, ranked 12th in the country outdoors, won the indoor national championship in the event.  Tallman's time currently sits fifth in the country.

WOMEN'S 400-METER DASH
ODAC Championship Record: Robin Yerkes, RC, 2010 -- 56.16
2013 Champion: Alexis Janney, RC -- 56.46
The Field: Roanoke stakes claim to three of the top four times in the ODAC this season, led by Alease Kinney (58.61).  VWC's Shakiella Daniel (59.09) splits up the Maroons' contingent, which continues with Jessica Mejia (59.65) and Brynn MacDougall (1:00.11).


MID-DISTANCE/DISTANCE

MEN'S 800-METER RUN
ODAC Championship Record: Josh Zobenica, LC, 2003 -- 1:52.90
2013 Champion: Nevin Heckman, BC -- 1:56.32
The Field: W&L's Zander Tallman (1:52.68) took his first stab at the event in the final weekend prior to the champion and promptly established the best time of the season, ranking ninth in the country.  A pair of Maroons in Andrew Bernstein (1:54.59) and Drew Landgren (1:55.89) sandwich last year's champion, Nevin Heckman (1:55.38) from BC.

WOMEN'S 800-METER RUN
ODAC Championship Record: Carmen Graves, RC, 2013 -- 2:13.91
2013 Champion: Carmen Graves, RC -- 2:13.91
The Field: We'll have a new champion in the 800-meter run in 2014, which Eastern Mennonite's Hannah Chappell-Dick (2:11.89) leading the way with the second-best time in NCAA Division III.  Washington and Lee's Annelise Madison (2:20.02) and Roanoke's Alease Kinney (2:20.32) are separated by just 0.30 seconds.

MEN'S 1,500-METER RUN
ODAC Championship Record: Luke Sohl, BC, 2013 -- 3:56.91
2013 Champion: Luke Sohl, BC -- 3:56.91
The Field: Roanoke's Harrison Toney (3:58.82) leads the way by nearly two seconds coming into the championship.  W&L's Ian McDonald (4:00.75) looks to make a charge in his first conference championship.  RC's Andrew Bernstein (4:02.40) looks to improve upon last year's fourth place showing.  Last year's champ, Luke Sohl, will not compete in the event this weekend.

WOMEN'S 1,500-METER RUN
ODAC Championship Record: Carmen Graves, RC, 2012 -- 4:43.08
2013 Champion: Carmen Graves, RC -- 4:52.14
The Field: A new champion will stand atop the podium after this year's 1,500-meter run, with W&L's Annelise Madison (4:38.61) leading the way coming into this weekend with the 17th-best time in the nation.  EMU's Hannah Chappell-Dick (4:48.21) came in second in 2013.  RC's Caitlin Ashley (4:52.50) also looks to push at the top.

MEN'S 5,000-METER RUN
ODAC Championship Record: Chad Norton, GC, 2013 -- 15:03.74
2013 Champion: Chad Norton, GC -- 15:03.74
The Field: Bridgewater's Luke Sohl (15:00.65) leads the ODAC ranks by nearly 14 seconds entering the weekend.  W&L's Mac Strehler (15:14.49) won the indoor title this season and has improved upon his championship time outdoors.  BC's Matt Denlinger (15:15.85) looks to also challenge.

WOMEN'S 5,000-METER RUN
ODAC Championship Record: Jessica Shaw, W&L, 2008 -- 17:29.84
2013 Champion: Olivia Mills, BC -- 18:10.99
The Field: A new champion awaits in this event and W&L's Annelise Madison (18:01.20) enters as the favorite with her ODAC top time more than 18 seconds faster than any other this season.  BC's Stephanie Breen (18:19.82) and RC's Caitlin Ashley (18:23.21) look to make a run at the title.

MEN'S 10,000-METER RUN
ODAC Championship Record: Luke Sohl, BC, 2012 -- 32:20.74
2013 Champion: Andris Goncarovs, GC -- 32:25.63
The Field: Washington and Lee's Mac Strehler (32:47.05) heads up the list entering the championship.  BC's Matt Denlinger (33:53.34) and Tim Miller (33:57.11) have also finished under 34-minutes.  They'll be joined by teammate and ODAC championship record-holder Luke Sohl, who has not run the event yet this season.

WOMEN'S 10,000-METER RUN
ODAC Championship Record: Casey Mackintosh, W&L, 2013 -- 37:58.71
2013 Champion: Casey Mackintosh, W&L -- 37:58.71
The Field: Only three runners have competed in the 10,000-meter run coming into the weekend, but that list is led by reigning champ and record-holder Casey Mackintosh (39:45.86) from W&L.  VWC's Liz Wade (41:20.71) and W&L's Kaitlin Bonaro (41:30.38) round out the list.  Several other competitors will also compete including BC's Kaylee Kubisiak and Stephanie Breen.


HURDLES/STEEPLECHASE

MEN'S 110-METER HURDLES
ODAC Championship Record: Andy White, W&L, 1988 -- 14.54
2013 Champion: Rachad Davis, LC -- 15.13
The Field: For three years, Lynchburg's Rachad Davis has stood atop the podium in the 110-meter hurdles, but he enters this weekend with the third-best time (15.35) in the league.  Bridgewater's Ben Martindell (15.12) posted the top mark, followed by Anthony Quinn (15.29) from the ODAC's newest track program at Randolph College.

WOMEN'S 100-METER HURDLES
ODAC Championship Record: Sarah Witt, RC, 2009 -- 14.70
2013 Champion: Marissa Thompson, W&L -- 15.39
The Field: We're guaranteed a new champion in this event, with Shenandoah heptathlete Jaclyn Mohlmann (15.53) posting the top time in the event this season.  VWC's Courtney Mebane (15.67) followed right behind Mohlmann as the pair finished third and fourth last year.  LC's Katie Miller (15.91) has also beaten the 16-second mark.

MEN'S 400-METER HURLDES
ODAC Championship Record: Rachad Davis, LC, 2013 -- 53.67
2013 Champion: Rachad Davis, LC -- 53.67
The Field: Much like in the 110-meter hurdles, Lynchburg's Rachad Davis is a three-time winner in 400-meter hurdles, in addition to its championship record-holder.  Davis (53.39) owns the top time coming into the weekend and ranks seventh in the country.  W&L's Dillon Myers (54.76), who rates 24th in D-III, looks to break his string of three-straight runner-up finishes with a win this year.  LC's Brian Fuentes (54.78) is ranked 25th in the nation.

WOMEN'S 400-METER HURDLES
ODAC Championship Record: Janey Fugate, W&L, 2012 -- 1:04.41
2013 Champion: Janey Fugate, W&L -- 1:04.91
The Field: Virginia Wesleyan's Courtney Mebane (1:05.30) owns the top time coming in.  Roanoke's Allison Denton (1:08.11) and Jessica Mejia (1:09.26) and Shenandoah's Jaclyn Mohlmann (1:09.95) have also run sub-1:10.00.

MEN'S 3,000-METER STEEPLECHASE
ODAC Championship Record: Chad Norton, GC, 2013 -- 9:23.57
2013 Champion: Chad Norton, GC -- 9:23.57
The Field: Roanoke's Harrison Toney (9:29.67) boasts the top time coming into the weekend and ranks ninth in the nation, but meet record-holder and reigning champion Chad Norton (9:42.47) is positioned well for a repeat chance. Bridgewater's Abe Rittenhouse (9:58.12) is the only other runner to come in under 10 minutes this season.

WOMEN'S 3,000-METER STEEPLECHASE
ODAC Championship Record: Becca Taylor, W&L, 2009 -- 11:22.19
2013 Champion: Lauren Schultz, W&L -- 12:00.57 (by photo finish Molly Ortiz, W&L -- 12:00.57)
The Field: A photo finish was needed to determine last year's champion, and we'll undoubtedly have a new one as both were seniors.  Roanoke's Caitlin Ashley (11:29.50) owns the top time by over a minute over teammate Claire Brooks (12:33.88).  Bridgewater's Zany Ludtke (12:49.13) also came in under 13 minutes.


JUMPS/POLE VAULT

MEN'S HIGH JUMP
ODAC Championship Record: Ricky Easterling, BC, 2005 -- 2.14 meters (7' 0.25")
2013 Champion: Jordan King, EMU -- 1.93 meters (6' 4.0")
The Field: Eastern Mennonite features the top two jumpers from this season, including reigning indoor and outdoor track, Jordan King (1.95m; 6' 4.75").  But it's Drew Vrolijk (2.00m; 6' 6.75") that owns the best mark and ranks 21st in NCAA D-III.  BC's David Larson (1.90m; 6' 2.75"), EMU's Quentin Moore (1.89m; 6' 2.25") and VWC's Ed Chase (1.88m; 6' 2.0") make up the top five.

WOMEN'S HIGH JUMP
ODAC Championship Record: Emily Hollett, RC, 1998 -- 1.69 meters (5' 6.5")
2013 Champion: Brittany Kersey, BC -- 1.56 meters (5' 1.25")
The Field: Bridgewater's Kristen Trice (1.57m; 5' 1.75") won the title indoors and leads by two inches over RC's Gabrielle Giersch (1.52m; 4' 11.75") and SU's Jaclyn Mohlmann (1.52m; 4' 11.75") entering the championship.  Last year's champ, Brittany Kersey (1.50m; 4' 11.0") is one of four jumpers tied for fourth on the season list.

MEN'S POLE VAULT
ODAC Championship Record: Andy Rollins, LC, 2007 -- 5.03 meters (16' 6.0")
2013 Champion: Eric O'Connor, LC -- 4.21 meters (13' 9.75")
The Field: A new champion will be crowned in the men's pole vault.  Lynchburg's Brian O'Dea (4.40m; 14' 5.25") is the favorite as he owns the top mark by nearly a foot.  W&L's David Fishman (4.12m; 13' 6.25") and LC's Daniel Shannon (4.05m; 13' 3.5") are the only competitors to clear the four meter mark this season.

WOMEN'S POLE VAULT
ODAC Championship Record: Christina Rhodes, BC, 2010 -- 3.77 meters (12' 4.5")
2013 Champion: Jillian Katterhagen, W&L -- 3.26 meters (10' 8.25")
The Field: W&L's Jillian Katterhagen (3.20m; 10' 6.0") has proven a championship vaulter in her first two seasons in the ODAC, but first year teammate Elizabeth Stanton (3.51m; 11' 6.25") is the event leader by a little over a foot.  She also ranks 21st in the nation.  BC's Erin Parker (3.07m; 10' 0.75") and W&L's Alexandra Hagan (3.06m; 10' 0.50") make it four competitors that have eclipsed three meters this season.

MEN'S LONG JUMP
ODAC Championship Record: Dave Lichtenstein, LC, 1998 -- 7.43 meters (24' 4.5")
2013 Champion: Pete Monteleone, BC -- 6.70 meters (21' 11.75")
The Field: Bridgewater's Aaron Southers (6.89m; 22' 7.25") and Virginia Wesleyan's Ethan Fowlkes (6.86m; 22' 6.25") are separated by just an inch coming into the weekend.  They're ranked 24th and 26th in the country, respectively.  Four other competitors have jumped at least 6.50 meters, including reigning champ Pete Monteleone (6.50m; 21' 4.0") from Bridgewater.

WOMEN'S LONG JUMP
ODAC Championship Record: Jaleesa Osborne, RC, 2010 -- 5.94 meters (19' 6.0")
2013 Champion: Candice Hairston, LC -- 5.28 meters (17' 4.0")
The Field: Washington and Lee's Dana Lee (5.64m; 18' 6.0") has made a splash in her first season, taking ownership of the ODAC's top mark by more than a foot.  She's currently ranked eighth in NCAA Division III.  LC's Aleshia Washington (5.31m; 17' 5.25") and Bridgewater's Kristen Trice (5.24m; 17' 2.25") are the only other athletes to clear 17-feet this season.

MEN'S TRIPLE JUMP
ODAC Championship Record: James Walker, LC, 1990 -- 15.27 meters (50' 1.25")
2013 Champion: Travis Oliver, VWC -- 14.27 meters (46' 10.0")
The Field: Virginia Wesleyan's Ethan Fowlkes (14.48m; 47' 6.25") exploded to the top of the ODAC season list in the final regular season meet, taking the lead by nearly three feet and moving into the #6 slot in the country.  A trio of Eagles takes up the next three spots including Stefan Vessels (13.62m; 44' 8.25"), Darin Council (43' 10.5"); and Tyler Vest (13.24m; 43' 5.25").

WOMEN'S TRIPLE JUMP
ODAC Championship Record: Wendy Driver, EMU, 2006 -- 11.47 meters (37' 7.50")
2013 Champion: Carmen Graves, RC -- 11.08 meters (36' 4.25")
The Field: Bridgewater owns three of the top four marks in the ODAC triple jump lists, including the nation's 24th ranked competitor in Melanie Waters (11.22m; 36' 9.75"), who is the only competitor to cross 11 meters this season.  Teammates Kristen Trice (10.98m; 36' 0.25") and Jordan Pitchford (10.82m; 35' 6.0") surround W&L's Dana Lee (35' 10.5") coming into the weekend.


THROWS

MEN'S SHOT PUT
ODAC Championship Record: Nathan Turner, BC, 2008 -- 16.68 meters (54' 9.0")
2013 Champion: Greg Wilson, LC -- 14.51 meters (47' 7.25")
The Field: Lynchburg's Greg Wilson (15.54m; 51' 0.0") has won the event each of the past two years and leads by a wide margin coming into the weekend.  He's also ranked 27th in the country.  Teammate Spencer Latham (14.25m; 46' 9.0") and Bridgewater's Don Mills (13.77m; 45' 2.25") are the only other throws to clear 45-feet.

WOMEN'S SHOT PUT
ODAC Championship Record: Amanda Reynolds, EMU, 2006 -- 12.93 meters (42' 5.0")
2013 Champion: Kori Penick, LC -- 12.22 meters (40' 1.25")
The Field: Lynchburg's Kim Alfaro (11.77m; 38' 7.5") has separated herself from the rest of the field, leading by more than a foot-and-a-half.  Roanoke's Samantha Clowser (10.99m; 36' 0.75") and LC's Kelsey Hughes (10.91m; 35' 9.5") are joined by Bridgewater's Katelyn Senger (10.74m; 35' 3.0") in clearing 35-feet.

MEN'S DISCUS
ODAC Championship Record: Seth McGuffin, LC, 1995 -- 48.83 meters (160' 2.0")
2013 Champion: Greg Wilson, LC -- 46.47 meters (152' 5.0")
The Field: Lynchburg's Greg Wilson (45.11m; 148' 0.0") looks to make it three straight discus titles as he enters the weekend with nearly a 10-foot advantage from the ODAC season list.  Teammates Spencer Latham (42.31m; 138' 10.0") and Lesley Waddy (39.06m; 128' 2.0") sandwich Shenandoah's Evan Griffin (40.49m; 132' 10.0") in the top four.

WOMEN'S DISCUS
ODAC Championship Record: Kristen Lovell, RC, 2005 -- 40.67 meters (133' 4.75")
2013 Champion: Amanda Theall, SU -- 37.03 meters (121' 6.0")
The Field: An event where a new winner is guaranteed, the women's discus is led by Bridgewater's Katelyn Senger (36.19m; 118' 9.0").  The season list tightens up over the next four slots with RC's Samantha Clowser (33.34m; 109' 4.0"), EMU's Alyssa Bane (33.20m; 108' 11.0") and LC's Emily Davis (33.19m; 108' 11.0") separated by just five inches.

MEN'S HAMMER THROW
ODAC Championship Record: Dan Reid, LC, 2010 -- 55.62 meters (182' 6.0")
2013 Champion: Greg Wilson, LC -- 50.69 meters (166' 0.0")
The Field: Lynchburg's Greg Wilson (54.47m; 178' 8.0") again enters as the favorite in a throwing event, this time as he looks to repeat in the hammer throw, an event in which he ranks 19th in D-III.  His lead in the season list is substantial at nearly 18-feet over Shenandoah's Evan Griffin (49.08m; 161' 0.0").  LC's Spencer Latham (45.44m; 149' 1.0") rounds out the top three.

WOMEN'S HAMMER THROW
ODAC Championship Record: Whitney Fitzwater, RC, 2011 -- 49.68 meters (162' 11.0")
2013 Champion: Samantha Clowser, RC -- 47.60 meters (156' 2.0")
The Field: Two-time reigning champ Samantha Clowser (46.85m; 153' 8.0") from Roanoke trails Lynchburg's Kim Alfaro (46.89m; 153' 10.0") by just two inches heading into the championships.  LC's Emily Davis (43.20m; 141' 9.0") and Ashley Thomas (42.98m; 141' 0.0") are tight in the third and fourth slots.

MEN'S JAVELIN
ODAC Championship Record: Peter Foxen, BC, 2012 -- 59.28 meters (194' 5.0")
2013 Champion: Eddie Barnes, W&L -- 58.35 meters (191' 5.0")
The Field: Washington and Lee's Kevin Sullivan (58.83m; 193' 0.0") finished third in last season's event, but he owns the top spot by a wide margin coming into this weekend.  He's ranked 10th in NCAA Division III.  Bridgewater's Willie Logan (51.91m; 170' 4.0"), who also serves as the Eagles football quarterback, sits second ahead of SU's Kirk Lewis (50.01m; 164' 1.0").

WOMEN'S JAVELIN
ODAC Championship Record: Leah Heal, LC, 2013 -- 39.57 meters (129' 10.0")
2013 Champion: Leah Heal, LC -- 39.57 meters (129' 10.0")
The Field: A new champion will be crowned in the women's javelin with Roanoke's Mary Kelly (38.07m; 124' 11.0") leading the charge after finishing second last year.  SU's Danyelle McGrady (32.05m; 105' 2.0") and Jaclyn Mohlmann (30.51m; 100' 1.0") and EMU's Rebecca Borg (30.78m; 101' 0.0") have also cleared 100-feet this season.