CALVIN SPORTS REPORT FOR MAY 9, 2008 (PART ONE)
Distance Runners Post NCAA III Provisional Qualifying Times at North Central; Track and Field Teams Sit High In Division III Power Rankings
MEN'S AND WOMEN'S TRACK AND FIELD
NAPERVILLE, IL -- A collection of Calvin men's and women's track and field runners posted NCAA III provisional qualifying times late Thursday night at the North Central College Dr. Keeler Invitational.
On the men's side, Calvin posted three strong provisional qualifying times in the 10,000 meter run. Leading the way was junior Jed Christiansen (Greenville, PA) with a first place time of 30:30.89 followed by senior Tim Finnegan (Los Alamos, NM) in second (30:38.59) and junior Erik VanKampen (Elmhurst, IL) in third (30:38.61). In the men's 5,000 meters, senior Tad Hulst (Zeeland HS) turned in a season-best and NCAA III provisional qualifying time of 14:46.89.
In the women's 10,000 meters, freshman Jessica Koster (Grand Rapids Christian HS) took third with a career-best and NCAA III provisional qualifying time of 36:12.78. In the women's 5,000 meters, senior Christina Overbeck (Seattle, WA) took first with a season-best and NCAA III provisional qualifying time of 17:17.40. Junior Jessi Hale (Rehoboth, NM) also took fourth with a time of 18:01.76.
A group of Calvin throwers also competed on Friday. In the men's hammer throw, senior Ryan Jensen (Northview HS) took second with a throw of 170-9 while freshman teammate Ken Echtinaw (Caledonia HS) was third in the discus with a throw of 149-11. On the women's side, sophomore Leigha Oberle (Grand Rapids Christian HS) took third in the discus (132-10) with senior teammate Rachel VanderWiele (Holland Christian HS) taking fifth (124-6).
Action continues at the Dr. Keeler Invitational today with a large group of Calvin athletes scheduled to compete.
TRACK AND FIELD TEAMS SIT HIGH IN DIVISION THREE POWER RANKINGS
The Calvin men's and women's track and field teams continue to be ranked high in the most recent set of Division III Power rankings released by the United States Track and Field Coaches Association.
The power rankings have been released since 1999 and reflect the strength of a track and field team in head-to-head dual meet competition.
The power rankings are tabulated by a cumulative point system. To submit a team for ranking, a school must submit two individuals in each event that is used in a head-to-head dual meet. In submitting an entry, the best time or performance of the year for the individual is submitted. An individual may not be listed in more than three individual events in the final weekly team entry.
In the latest Division III power rankings, the Calvin women's track and field team is ranked second with 294.26 points, up two spots and nearly six points from its fourth place score of the previous week. Washington University of St. Louis is the top-ranked team for the third straight week. The Bears have a first place point total of 295.44.
On the men's side, Calvin is ranked 16th with a score of 299.47 points. Augustana is the nation's top-ranked team with a score of 337.37 points.
The most recent set of Division III Power Rankings can be found on-line at: http://www.d3rankings.us/2008/Week.aspx?key=10.
Jeff Febus
Sports Information Director
Calvin College
(616) 526-6169 Office
(616) 526-8551 Fax
Received on Fri May 9 13:55:13 2008
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