2017-18 Indoor Track Athletes of the Week

  • Amber Celen, Bridgewater, Sr.
    February 19, 2018
    Celen, a senior from Townsend, Del., looks prepared for the ODAC Indoor Track Championships after a stellar showing at the UCS Invitational. The multi All-American posted the second fastest time in the 200-meter dash in NCAA Division III, winning the event in 24.79 seconds to top the ODAC chart. She also ran the 60-meter dash, posting a time of 7.78 seconds in the prelims and 7.82 to finish sixth in the finals. Her 7.78 time is 0.01 off her season-best. Celen added a leap of 5.72 meters (18-9.25) in the long jump, an event for which she is already #2 in the country and tops in the ODAC (5.81m; 19-0.75).
  • Lindsey Baxter, Roanoke, So.
    February 19, 2018
    Baxter, a sophomore from Hampton, N.H., continued her trend of increasing her pole vault marks and looks ready for ODAC championship competition after a strong showing at the Roanoke Tune Up. Baxter reset her own school-record in the pole vault after clearing 3.51 meters (11-6.25). That won the event and puts her a full foot in front of second place on the conference chart. That mark ranks 34th in NCAA Division III.
  • Connor Faint, Eastern Mennonite, Sr.
    February 19, 2018
    Faint, a senior from Winchester, Va., put together a pair of ODAC top-five times in the sprints at the Roanoke Tune Up. Faint put himself in the conversation for a national bid in the 400-meter dash a personal-best 49.45 time to finish second overall and tops among NCAA Division III competitors. That time is #1 in the ODAC rankings and 15th in the country. He also ran the 200-meter dash, finishing eighth overall in 22.88 seconds. That time moved into fifth on the conference chart.
  • Shep Sims, Washington and Lee, So.
    February 19, 2018
    Sims, a sophomore from Charleston, W.Va., put together a second straight stellar showing in the pole vault at the Roanoke Tune Up. Sims cleared 4.60 meters (15-1.00) to win the event and snap a Washington and Lee record (4.59m) that was established by Phillip Sampson in 1989. Sims' mark ranks 35th in NCAA Division III increases his conference lead to 0.50 meters entering the ODAC Championships this coming weekend.
  • Natalie Deacon, Lynchburg, Gr.
    February 12, 2018
    Deacon, a graduate student from West Chester, Pa., continues to shine in her second season of track & field at Lynchburg. At the VMI Winter Relays, Deacon finished second overall and tops among Division III competition in the 800-meter run with a time of 2:15.48. That time is ranked 15th on the NCAA Division III qualifying charts. When converted for banking for the ODAC's lists, Deacon's time of 2:17.04 leads the conference by more than four seconds. Deacon also ran a leg for Lynchburg's distance medley relay squad, which placed fifth at 12:46.20.
  • Lindsey Baxter, Roanoke, So.
    February 12, 2018
    Baxter, a sophomore from Hampton, N.H., reaffirmed her leads on the ODAC pole vaulting chart after competing at the VMI Winter Relays. Baxter, who has led the conference's pole vaulters all season, finished sixth overall and first among Division III competitors at VMI by clearing 3.30 meter s (10-10.00). This is the second time she has reached that mark this season, which subsequently also occurred at VMI at during the Keydet Invitational.
  • Donovan Fiore, Washington and Lee, So.
    February 12, 2018
    Fiore, a sophomore from Gilbert, Ariz., ran twice at the VMI Winter Relays over the weekend. Fiore tied the Washington and Lee record in the 200-meter dash after finishing 10th of 57 athletes overall and tops among Division III competitors with a time of 22.31 seconds. That mark ranks just outside the nation's top-50. When converted to a flat-track time for the ODAC lists, Fiore's converted time of 22.71 seconds is #1 on the ODAC seasonal chart. He also ran a league of W&L's 4x400-meter relay team, which finished sixth over 17 squads overall and second among D-III units at 3:24.65. The converted time of 3:27.93 is second in the ODAC.
  • Shep Sims, Washington and Lee, So.
    February 12, 2018
    Sims, a sophomore from Charleston, W.Va., tied his grip on the best mark in the pole vault in the ODAC after competing at the VMI Winter Relays. Sims set a new career-best when he eclipsed 4.50 meters (14-9.00) to finish fourth of 13 overall competitors and tops among Division III vaulters. That mark ranks 45th in the country and is better by 0.40 meters than the second-best clearance in the ODAC.
  • Marissa Coombs, Virginia Wesleyan, Sr.
    February 05, 2018
    Coombs, a senior from Newtown, N.J., continues to churn up the track in the mid-distance events. Coombs competed in the both the 800-meter and mile runs at the Vince Brown Invitational hosted by Christopher Newport, setting new ODAC best times in each. She ran to a 2:21.59 to finish second overall and tops among NCAA Division III competitors in the 800-meter run. Coombs stepped it up another notch in the mile run, finishing first of 33 runners in 5:01.41. When converted for a banked track, that time ranks eighth in the country. It is also a little more than seven-seconds off her ODAC record pace, which she set last year.
  • Amber Celen, Bridgewater, Sr.
    February 05, 2018
    Celen, a senior from Townsend, Del., continues perform at a star level both in the jumps and on the track. At the Camel City Invitational hosted at JDL Fast Track, Celen jumped to sixth placed in the high jump at 5.50 meters (18-0.50). That would rank second in the conference if not for her nationally second-best mark of 5.81 meter (19-0.75) earlier this season. On the track, Celen bettered her already #1 conference time in the 200-meter dash with a time of 25.04 seconds. Not only is that creeping closer to her ODAC record time (24.15) set last season, but when converted to banked track figures, it slots second in NCAA Division III.
  • Curtis Dudley, Virginia Wesleyan, So.
    February 05, 2018
    Dudley, a sophomore from Norfolk, Va., catapulted himself into the national scene in the 60-meter dash at the Vince Brown Invitational. Dudley opened by winning his heat at 7.05 seconds. He then finished second in the semifinal heat at 7.02 seconds. He followed that with a first place showing in the finals with an ODAC-best time of 6.94 seconds. That mark ranks eighth in NCAA Division III and is a new career personal-best time.
  • Davonta Womack, Bridgewater, Jr.
    February 05, 2018
    Womack, a junior from Roanoke, Va., was strong both in the jumps and on the track at the Camel City Invitational hosted by JDL Fast Track. Womack jumped a personal season-best 6.81 meters (22-4.25) in the long jump to finish fifth overall. That mark is also second-best in the ODAC and ranks 45th in NCAA Division III. On the track, Womack moved into third in the ODAC in the 200-meter dash with a time of 22.84 seconds. That placed him 18th overall in the event.
  • Marissa Coombs, Virginia Wesleyan, Sr.
    January 29, 2018
    Coombs, a senior from Newtown, N.J., continued her dominance in mid-distance events at the Finn Pincus Invitational. She finished first out of 35 competitors in the mile run with an ODAC-best time of 5:05.88. That mark also ranks 10th in NCAA Division III. Coombs went on to help the Marlins set new school and venue (Bast-Cregger Field House) records in the distance medley relay with a first-place time of 12:35.49. She and her teammates finished fourth in the 4x400-meter relay in 4:12.18. Both relay times rank #1 in the ODAC, while the DMR mark is eighth in the country.
  • Amber Celen, Bridgewater, Sr.
    January 29, 2018
    Celen, a senior from Townsend, Del., excelled in the jumps and on the track in various events at the Finn Pincus Invitational. Celen won the long jump competion with a leap of 5.59 meters (18-4.25). That marks is second only to her previous season-best and NCAA Division III leading mark (5.91m) and would rank inside the nation's top-five. On the track, Celen posted 9.57 seconds in the prelims of the 60-meter hurdles, and bettered that mark to an ODAC-best 9.13 seconds to finish fourth in the finals. She also ran a leg of the fourth-place 4x400-meter relay team in 4:16.04.
  • Davonta Womack, Bridgewater, Jr.
    January 29, 2018
    Womack, a junior from Roanoke, Va., put together a strong outing at the Finn Pincus Invitational in a trio of events including two sprints. Womack was nearly at his best in the 60-meter dash, rattling off 7.11 and 7.02 times in the prelims and semifinals before blistering to 6.98 seconds for third overall and first among Division III competitors. That time would rank second in the ODAC and 16th nationally if not for his previous conference-best time of 6.97 seconds. Womack also took to the 200-meter dash, placing fifth overall and second among D-III talent in 23.09 seconds. In field events, he posted a mark of 6.60 meters (21-8.00) in the long jump to finish third overall and second against D-III foes. That mark is just short of his previous 6.80-meter leap earlier this season, which ranks second in the ODAC.
  • Grant Amoateng, Eastern Mennonite, Jr.
    January 29, 2018
    Amoateng, a junior from Bristow, Va., picks up his second weekly award after excelling in the jumps at the Finn Pincus Invitational. Amoateng won the long jump with a leap of 6.79 meters (22-3.50). That would rank third in the ODAC ultimately trailing his previous season-best mark of 6.92 meters (22-8.50). Amoateng was arguably stronger in the triple jump as he finished fourth overall and tops among Division III competitors after bounding 13.86 meters (45-5.75). That ties the ODAC high mark previously set by him and Shenandoah's Jason White earlier this season. It also ranks 36th in the country.
  • Jayla Cross, Virginia Wesleyan, So.
    January 22, 2018
    Cross, a sophomore from Franklin, Va., put together a strong showing in four events at the Captains Invitational and Combined Events including two top-10 finishes in sprints and a pair of relay victories. Cross was the second fastest Division III competitor in both the 200-meter and 400-meter dashes. She was third overall in the 400m at 1:02.56, which is #1 in the ODAC this season. She chimed in eighth overall in the 200m at 27.20 seconds, which is second in the conference ranks. Cross also ran a leg in both the 4x200-meter and 4x400-meter relays. The Marlins won the 200-meter event in 1:51.40 and stopped the watches first in the 4x400-meter race in an ODAC-best 4:14.66.
  • Rolonda Taylor, Virginia Wesleyan, Sr.
    January 22, 2018
    Taylor, a senior from Norfolk, Va., was busy and successful at the Captains Invitational and Combined Events hosted by Christopher Newport University. Taylor competed in four events including three jumps and a sprint with three top-five finishers. She won the triple jump at 10.56 meters (34-7.75), which would be second in the ODAC if not for her previous mark of 10.59 earlier this season. Taylor added a third place finish in the long jump at 5.14 meters (16-10.50), which ties for second in the ODAC. She also placed fifth in the high jump at 1.51 meters (4-11.50), which slots third in the league. On the track, Taylor competed in the 60-meter dash and finished sixth with a time of 8.26 seconds, which is tied for fourth-fastest in the ODAC.
  • Donovan Fiore, Washington and Lee, So.
    January 22, 2018
    Fiore, a sophomore from Gilbert, Ariz., put together a strong showing on the track at the Keydet Invitational hosted by Virginia Military Academy. Fiore was the top Division III finisher in both the 60-meter and 200-meter dashes. His 60m time of 7.09 seconds placed 26th overall and ranks fifth in the ODAC. His time of 22.46 seconds in the 200m is 43rd in the country and placed 19th in the race. When converted for the ODAC top-times qualifying lists, Fiore slots second at 22.86 seconds.
  • Jason White, Shenandoah, Fr.
    January 22, 2018
    White, a freshman from Roanoke, Va., put together a strong performance in the jumps at the Collegeville Classic hosted by Ursinus College. White won the triple jump with a leap of 13.86 meters (45-5.75). That ties for the best in the ODAC this season and ranks 28th in NCAA Division III. It also set a new Shenandoah program record. White also competed in the long jump, placing fifth overall at 6.48 meters (21-3.25). That slots fifth in the conference.
  • Sommer Fanney, Guilford, Sr.
    January 15, 2018
    Fanney, a senior from Burlington, N.C., put together a strong performance in a pair of mid-distance events at the East Tennessee State University Invitational. Fanney posted the ODAC's best seasonal times in the 800-meter and mile runs at ETSU. Her time of 2:33.86 in the 800m is fourth fastest in school history. She was 30th overall and first among Division III competitors. Fanney was again the top D3 performer and 19th in the mile at 5:39.60. That is fifth-fastest in school. Fanney also ran a leg of the 4x400-meter relay team that placed 14th in 4:33.21.
  • Amber Celen, Bridgewater, Sr.
    January 15, 2018
    Celen, a senior from Townsend, Del., continued her All-American level of performance in her first action of 2018 at the Coach I Open hosted by Franklin & Marshall College. Celen won long jump at 5.81 meters (19' 0.75"), which tops all jumpers in NCAA Division III and is just 0.08 meters off her ODAC record mark from last season. She also blistered on the track, winning both the 60-meter and 200-meter dashes with times of 7.84 and 26.01 seconds, respectively. Her 200m time is first in the ODAC and sixth nationally. In the prelims of the 60m event, Celen won the heat in 7.78 seconds, which ranks second in the conference and fourth in the country.
  • Alex Galloway, Bridgewater, Jr.
    January 15, 2018
    Galloway, a junior from Ashburn, Va., put together a strong performance in two sprinting events at the Coach I Open hosted by Franklin & Marshall College. Galloway finished second overall in the 200-meter dash in 22.85 seconds, which is the top-ranked time in the ODAC this season. It also ranks 27th in NCAA Division III. He also competed in the 60-meter dash, finished sixth in the preliminaries in 7.20 seconds and sixth in the finals at 7.22 seconds. His prelim time is just outside the ODAC's top-10.
  • Davonta Womack, Bridgewater, Jr.
    January 15, 2018
    Womack, a junior from Roanoke, Va., put together a strong open to 2018 at Coach I Open hosted by Franklin & Marshall College. Womack fnished second overall in the long jump with a leap of 6.90 meters (22' 3.75"), which ranks second in the ODAC and 30th in NCAA Division III. He also performed well on the track, winning the 60-meter dash in 6.97 seconds, which is the top time in the ODAC and seventh in the country.
  • Marissa Coombs, Virginia Wesleyan, Sr.
    December 11, 2017
    Coombs, a senior from Newtown, N.J., opened her season with a stellar showing at the CNU Holiday Open. The multiple All-American posted a time of 10:06.00 in the 3,000-meter run, finishing fourth overall as the top Division III competitor by more than 55 seconds. The three runners who placed above her and two below were all from Division I Richmond. When converted for national rankings*, Coombs ranking time of 10:00.85 sits fourth in the country.
  • Curtis Dudley, Virginia Wesleyan, So.
    December 11, 2017
    Dudley, a sophomore from Norfolk, Va., put together a strong showing to open his season at the CNU Holiday Open. Dudley ran in a pair of events, including the 60-meter dash where he slotted himself inside the nation's top-10. He ran 7.09 in the prelims and then an ODAC second-best 6.99 in the semifinals, which is tied for eighth in NCAA Division III. He went on to finish fourth overall at 7.14 in the finals. Dudley also competed in the 200-meter dash, finishing in 24.57.
  • Quinn Harlan, Roanoke, Fr.
    December 04, 2017
    Harlan, a freshman from Woonsocket, R.I., stepped up with a couple of strong runs at the Bast-Cregger Invitational to kickoff her career. She won the 60-meter dash in 7.77 seconds, which ranks #1 in Division III in the early season. She previously ran 7.78 seconds in the prelims of the event. Quinn added a sixth place showing in the long jump at 5.14 meters (16-10.5).
  • Jennifer Calascione, Roanoke, Jr.
    December 04, 2017
    Calascione, a junior from Parker, Colo., opened up her season with a school-record performance at the Bast-Cregger Invitational. Calascione finished second overall and first among Division III competitors in the shot put at 12.30 meters (40-4.25), which out-distanced the nearest ODAC competitor by nearly four feet. It also set the Roanoke program-record and ranks 17th in the country.
  • Azavier Kirtley, Lynchburg, Fr.
    December 04, 2017
    Kirtley, a freshman from Roanoke, Va., made waves in his first collegiate meet at the Bast-Cregger Invitational over the weekend. He won the 200-meter dash in an ODAC-best time of 23.06 seconds, which ranks 20th in the country. He added a second place showing in the 400-meter dash at 50.32 seconds, again topping the conference and ranking seventh in Division III.
  • Grant Amoateng, Eastern Mennonite, Jr.
    December 04, 2017
    Amoateng, a junior from Bristow, Va., got the season started off just the way he wanted as he was the top Division III competitor in both the long and triple jumps at the Bast-Cregger Invitational. Amoateng finished third overall in both events, posting marks of 6.92 meters (22-8.50) in the long jump and 13.86 meters (45-5.75) in the triple jump. Those rank ninth and 13th, respectively, in the nation. His long jump performance is the second-best in EMU history.