Bridgewater in Second, Washington and Lee Receives First Place Vote
FOREST, Va. --- Lynchburg College earned seven
first place votes on the way to 49 total points for the second
straight year as the Hornets top the 2012-13 ODAC Men's Indoor
Track Coaches' Poll. Bridgewater College chimes in second
with 41 tallies, while Washington and Lee University picked up the
remaining top nod towards 38 total poll points.
Lynchburg, winner of 15 straight and 26 overall ODAC indoor
championships, returns several key components to the squad coached
by two-time reigning ODAC Coach of the Year, Doug Thomasey.
Five winners from the 2012 ODAC Indoor Track Championships are back
in LC red, including ODAC Rookie of the Year, Jared Bloomquist, who
won the high jump (2.00m) last season. Rachad Davis took home
top prize in the 60-meter hurdles (8.41) while also placing fourth
in the 60-meter dash (7.10). Nolan Compton turned in a
winning performance in the mile run (4:24.50), while Zachary Kezar
claimed first in the long jump (5.59m). The Hornets are armed
with a trio of strong throwers led by shot put champion Eric Van
Dunk (15.26m). Greg Wilson took second in both the shot
(14.84m) and weight throw (15.68m), and Gordon Merck was third in
the weight throw (14.84m). Distance runner Cody Stanton
returns after placing second in the 5,000-meter race (15:28.08) and
winning the 2012 ODAC cross country eight-kilometer race this past
fall.
Bridgewater also fields a squad heavy on returning talent, led by
triple jump champ Eugene Cummings (13.92m). He also placed
second in the long jump (6.47m). Daryus Beale is back in the
fold after finishing second in the 60-meter hurdles (8.50), while
Ryan Speray is ready for another go at the mile run competition
after placing third (4:27.34) last season. Luke Sohl, the
2011 ODAC Cross Country Rookie of the Year, finished fourth in the
5,000-meter run last season (15:32.90). Jacob Wright showed
fifth in the 60-meter dash (7.11).
Washington and Lee welcomes the return of 2012 ODAC Athlete of the
Meet, Zander Tallman. Tallman won both the 200-meter (22.40)
and 400-meter dashes (49.55). He went on to compete in the
400-dash at the NCAA Division III Indoor Track Championships, where
he posted a time of 49.82. Joining Tallman is versatile
athlete Dillon Myers, who competed in six individual events at last
year's championships. He finished second in both the
400-meter dash (51.46) and triple jump (13.06m), third in the high
jump (1.82m) and long jump (6.33m), and fifth in the 60-meter
hurdles (8.88) and 200-meter dash (23.25). Kane Thomas is
back after placing third in the 800-meter run (1:58.72), as is
David Fishman following a tie for fourth in the pole vault
(3.90).
For the second straight year, the 5,000-meter run will be one of
the most competitive events at the ODAC championships come
February. Five of the six point scorers return from last
season's tight competition. In addition to LC's Stanton and
BC's Sohl, Chad Norton (15:21.04) from Guilford College looks for a
repeat performance after winning the event in 2012. He's
joined by Roanoke College's Tim Smith (15:36.87), who won the 2011
ODAC cross country individual race, and Darren Driscoll (15:38.94)
from Virginia Wesleyan College.
Roanoke claimed first in the 4x400-meter relay (3:28.82) a season
ago. The Maroons enjoy the return of Jed Curtis, who finished
second in the high jump (1.85m) and third in the 60-meter hurdles
(8.61) last year.
The Marlins, who won the distance medley relay race (10:34.09),
feature three returning athletes to watch. Randy Lott took
home second prize in the 60-meter dash (6.94) and finished third in
the 200-meter dash (22.74). Tracey Johnson came in right
behind Lott in the 60-dash (7.06) in third place. Pole
vaulter Kyle Chowhan tied for fourth (3.90m) in last season's
competition.
Eastern Mennonite University features the return of one of the
conference's top athletes following a year away from the sport on a
study-abroad opportunity. Michael Allen won the long jump
(6.59m) and triple jump (13.91m) at the 2011 championships.
He also placed second in the high jump (1.83m).
Shenandoah University embarks on its second year in the
conference. Kirk Lewis returns for the Hornets after placing
sixth in the 200-meter (23.39) and 400-meter (52.38) dashes.
Listed below is the full 2012-13 ODAC Men's Track Coaches
Poll. For more information, visit any of the participating
schools’ websites, or go to the ODAC’s home on the
Internet at www.odaconline.com. Don't forget
to become a fan of the ODAC on Facebook and follow the ODAC on Twitter at @odacathletics. In addition, check out the
ODAC's YouTube channel.
2012-13 ODAC MEN'S INDOOR TRACK COACHES POLL
(#) Denotes first place votes
1. Lynchburg (7) | 49 pts. |
2. Bridgewater | 41 pts. |
3. Washington and Lee (1) | 38 pts. |
4. Roanoke | 30 pts. |
5. Virginia Wesleyan | 23 pts. |
6. Eastern Mennonite | 15 pts. |
7. Guilford | 14 pts. |
7. Shenandoah | 14 pts. |