| Track and Field Season Preview 2008 The goals for the 2008 edition of the University of the Cumberlands Men and Women’s Track and Field team are very simple, and that is to try and mirror what they did in 2007. That of course is to win the Men and Women’s Mid-South Conference Championship. However, it could be a little tougher this season with several new schools entering conference play this year. Once again the Patriots finished a season garnering a plethora of individual honors, as well as, breaking several more school records. With a strong core of athletes returning and the addition of several newcomers, the Men and Women’s teams plan to accomplish new feats and set even higher goals. Head Coach Floyd Stroud enters his 16 th season with the Patriots. He certainly knows what it takes to win, as he was honored as the MSC Coach of the Year and the KTCCCA Men’s Coach of the Year. “We have an overall good team. The kids are excited about this season. They’re ready to compete for another conference championship. We open up with a great meet and we should see how it goes from there.” said Stroud. The meet that Stroud is referring to, will take place indoors at the Findlay Invitational Meet on January 25 th-26 th in Findlay, OH. The Patriots will compete in five indoor and nine outdoor events this season. A key to success for Cumberlands will be the talent that returns for Stroud. On the Men’s side, it’s pretty easy to see why the Patriots are one of the favorites to capture the MSC title once again. It’s all starts with Five-Time All-American Jordan Jeffers. The junior from Fairview, TN was named as the Mid-South Conference Athlete of the Year and the KTCCCA College Male Athlete of the Year. Jeffers will once again be headlined to lead the Patriots in the sprints. Sophomore Marius Cozmanciuc (Romania) and junior Joshua Laughlin (Bellbrook, OH) will also be strong competitors in distance. The experienced talent continues to play out on the roster with senior Lemuel Holifield (Johnson City, TN), senior Brett Ratliff (Pikeville, KY), senior Caleb Dodson (Valparaiso, IN), and sophomore Brandon Griffith (Hampton, VA). Their roles will be even bigger this season. Several key newcomers will look to throw their name in the mix for the Patriots. Freshmen Zak Zivkovins (Strongsville, OH) and Bob Evans (Groveland, FL) are opening the eyes of the coaching staff, along with junior Eric Tisdol (Eastman, GA). With these additions and the returners, the Patriots look to be very strong in the distance, middle distance, and sprints. On the Women’s side, the Patriot ladies look to compete for another MSC Championship as well. Senior Kelly Schnee (Milan, OH) is one of the top all-around athletes on the team. Coach Stroud describes her as a “workhorse”. Whitney Brainard (Somerset, KY) is another senior that the coaching staff is really high on. She is considered as one of the top distance runners in the MSC. Sophomores Kayla King (Wilmore, KY) and Erin White (Williamsburg, KY) should help lead the Patriots to the Promised Land Key newcomers are freshmen Rebecca Holcomb (Blancaster, OH), Sarah Hobbs (Pineville, KY), Jerrica Payton (Liberty, KY), and Natasha Syndor (Elizabethtown, KY). Coach Stroud believes that they will make strong editions to the team. The 2008 indoor season will get underway at the Findlay Invitational Meet on January 25 th-26 th in Findlay, OH. 2007 Season Preview
|
