CSR (Calvin Sending 16 to NCAA III Track and Field Championships)

CALVIN SPORTS REPORT FOR MAY 23, 2010
 
Calvin Sending 16 to NCAA III Track and Field Championships
 
MEN'S AND WOMEN'S TRACK AND FIELD
 
The Calvin men's and women's track and field teams will send a combined 16 athletes to the upcoming NCAA III Track and Field Championships including 12 from its women's team and four from its men's team.
 
The following is a look at the 16 individuals that will represent the Calvin track and field program at the NCAA III Track and Field Championships this Thursday, Friday and Saturday (May 27-29) at Baldwin-Wallace College in Berea, Ohio.
 
MEN'S TEAM
 
NICK KRAMER -- (Dyer, IN/Illliana Christian HS) -- A sophomore, Kramer will be making his first trip to the NCAA III Outdoor Track and Field Championships although he also competed at the NCAA III Cross Country Championships this fall. Kramer will compete in the 3,000 meter steeplechase where he is seeded eighth (9:08.13) and in the 5,000 meters where he is seeded 16th (14:36.77). Earlier this month, Kramer captured the MIAA title in the steeplechase and was named to the All-MIAA team. Kramer will be one of three individuals from Calvin competing in the men's steeplechase, marking the first time Calvin has done so.
 
BEN VAN WYK -- (Sussex, NJ/High Point HS) -- A junior, Van Wyk will also compete in the steeplechase where he is seeded ninth (9:08.27). Van Wyk qualified for the national meet with a career-best time last Friday night at the Gregory Invitational hosted by North Central College. At the MIAA Championships earlier this month, Van Wyk placed second.
 
KELBY MCCLELLAND -- (Mercer, PA/Mercer Regional HS) -- A senior, McClelland will be heading to the national meet for the third time in his career and for the first time since 2007. McClelland will compete in the 110 high hurdles where he is seeded 11th (14.59). McClelland competed in the 110 high hurdles at the 2007 national meet but did not advance to the finals. He also served as an alternate on Calvin's 2006 4x400 meter relay team that competed at nationals. After the 2007 season, McClelland elected to take two years off from school but came back this past fall to complete her final year of education and final year of athletics eligibility. This spring, McClelland was the MIAA champion in the 110 high hurdles and earned a spot on the All-MIAA team.
 
AARON GOODMAN -- (Milawukee, WI/Milwaukee Lutheran HS) -- A senior, Goodman will be making his second trip to the NCAA III Outdoor Track and Field Championships. Goodman will compete in the 3,000 meter steeplechase where he is seeded 11th (9:08.53). A year ago, Goodman also qualified in the steeplechase and finished 10th at the national meet. At the MIAA Championships this spring, Goodman placed fifth in the steeplechase.
 
 
WOMEN'S TEAM
 
REBEKAH VAN DYK -- (Bellflowerd, CA/Valley Christian HS) -- A junior, Van Dyk will be making her first trip to the national meet. She will compete in the high jump where she is seeded fifth (5-6). Earlier this spring, Van Dyk was the MIAA runner-up in the high jump.
 
JOY LEACH -- (Charlottsville, VA/Charlottsville HS) -- A senior, Leach will be making her first-ever trip to the NCAA III Outdoor Track and Field Championships. Leach will compete in the pole vault where she is seeded 19th (12-1 1/2). Earlier this spring, Leach captured her second straight league title in the pole vaul and was named to the All-MIAA team for a second straight year. Leach also now holds the distinction of qualifying for both the NCAA III Swimming and Diving Championships and NCAA III Outdoor Track and Field Championships this year. In March, she competed on the one-meter diving board at the NCAA III Swimming and Diving Championships. She is the second Calvin athlete to qualify for both national meets in the same year as Kristi VanWoerkom also achieved the feat in 1999. Ironically, the 1999 NCAA III Outdoor Track and Field Championships were also held at Baldwin-Wallace College.
 
JORDAN GABRIELSE -- (Allendale/Unity Christian HS) -- A sophomore, Gabrielse will compete as a member of Calvin's 4x400 meter relay team which is seeded 15th (3:52.56). Gabrielse will be making her first trip to the national meet. Earlier this spring, Gabrielse captured the league title in the 400 meter hurdles and was named to the All-MIAA team.
 
LEAH OBERLE -- (Grand Rapids/Grand Rapids Christian HS) -- A native of Grand Rapids and a graduate of Grand Rapids Christian High School, Oberle will be making her first trip to the NCAA III Outdoor Track and Field Championships. Oberle will compete in the discus where she is seeded 13th (145-10). Earlier this spring, Oberle captured the MIAA title in the discus and was named to the All-MIAA team.
 
RACHEL BOERNER -- (Bergenfield, NJ/Hillcrest Lutheran Academy) -- A junior, Boerner will compete in the 400 meter hurdles where she is the nation's top seed (1:00.51) and in the 400 meters where she is seeded second (55.29). She will also run on Calvin's 4x400 meter relay team which is seeded 15th (3:52.56). Boerner is making her third straight trip to the NCAA III Outdoor Track and Field Championships as she ran on Calvin's All-America 4x400 meter relay team which finished fifth in 2008 and then placed second in the 400 meter hurdles in 2009. She also ran on Calvin's 4x400 meter relay team at the 2009 NCAA III Indoor Track and Field Championships which placed third in 2009 and then captured the national title in the 400 meters at the 2010 NCAA III Indoor Track and Field Championships. Earlier this spring, Boerner captured the MIAA title in the 400 meters and was named the MIAA's Most Valuable Runner and landed a spot on the All-MIAA team.
 
KAITLIN DIEMER -- (Caledonia/South Christian HS) -- A sophomore, Diemer will be making her first trip to the national meet. She will compete as a member of Calvin's 4x400 meter relay team which is seeded 15th (3:52.56). Earlier this spring, Diemer captured the MIAA title in the 800 meters and earned a spot on the All-MIAA team.
 
SARAH REASONER -- (Cambridge, MN/Isanti HS) -- A junior, Reasoner will be making her second straight trip to the NCAA III Outdoor Track and Field Championships. She will compete in the shot put where she is seeded 12th (44-9 3/4) and in the discus where she is seeded third (153-11). Reasoner is a two-time All-American in the shot put as she placed eighth in the event at the 2009 outdoor national meet and then placed second in event at the 2010 indoor national meet. At the MIAA Championships this spring, Reasoner was the league champion in both the discus and was later named the MIAA's Most Outstanding Field Event Performer for the second straight year while also earning a spot on the All-MIAA team.
 
ELIZABETH SMIT -- (Kirkland, WA/Bellevue Christian HS) -- A senior, Smit will be making her third straight trip to the NCAA III Outdoor Track and Field Championships. Smit will compete in the 3,000 meter steeplechase where she is seeded third (10:29.55) and in the 5,000 meters where she is seeded 18th (17:15.20). A year ago, Smit finished 15th in the steeplechase at the national meet after placing 10th in 2008. Smit did claim All-America honors at the 2009 NCAA III Indoor Track and Field Championships, running a leg on Calvin's All-America distance medley relay team. In addition, Smit was the MIAA champion in the steeplechase this spring, winning the league title for the third straight year and earning a spot on the All-MIAA team.
 
JESSICA KOSTER -- (Grand Rapids/Grand Rapids Christian HS) -- A senior, Koster will be making her third straight trip to the NCAA III Outdoor Track and Field Championships. She will compete in the 10,000 meters where she is seeded fourth (35:48.14). A year ago, Koster claimed All-America honors in the 10,000 meters at the national meet, finishing in fifth place. At the 2008 national meet, Koster placed 10th in the 10,000 meters. Earlier this month, Koster captured the league title in the 10,000 meters for the second straight year, earning a spot on the All-MIAA team.
 
JESI HALE -- (Rehoboth, NM/Gallup HS) -- A senior, Hale will be making her first trip to the NCAA III Outdoor Track and Field Championships although she has competed at the NCAA III Cross Country Championships three times. Hale will compete in the 10,000 meters where she is seeded 18th (36:16.03). Earlier this month, Hale was the MIAA runner-up in the 10,000 meters.
 
KATIE ROELOFS -- (Grand Rapids/Springfield (VA) HS) -- A senior, Roelofs will compete as a member of Calvin's 4x400 meter relay team which is seeded 15th. Roelofs will be making her second consecutive trip to the NCAA III Outdoor Track and Field Championships. Earlier this month, Roelofs was named to the All-MIAA team after placing fourth in the 100 meters and third in the 200 meters.
 
GRETCHEN BRAYMER -- (Erie, PA/Collegiate Academy) -- A junior, Braymer will be making her second consecutive trip to the NCAA III Outdoor Track and Field Championships. She will compete in the 3,000 meter steeplechase where she is seeded 16th (10:54.07). A year ago, Braymer placed 16th in the steeplechase at the national meet.
Received on Sun May 23 15:26:26 2010