2008-2009 Track and Field Season Wrap-Up

The University of the Cumberlands Men and Women’s Track & Field teams concluded the 2009 Indoor and Outdoor seasons on a high note, as they saw eight Patriots (3 Indoor, 5 Outdoor) competing at the NAIA National Championships.  Coming off of a stellar 2008 campaign, the Patriot Track & Field had a tough road ahead of them this year, as they lost a lot of talented athletes due to graduation.  New faces would need to emerge and seasoned veterans would have to step up if the Patriots were going to compete with the elite in the 2009 season.

The season consisted of superb team efforts with both teams competing well and winning several events at Division I and II levels, which led to the women’s team collecting 2nd place and 3rd place for the men’s team in the Mid-South Conference Championships.  Combined, the men and women’s teams had 6 All-Conference athletes:  Josh Laughlin (Bellbrook, OH) - 10,000 meters, Eric Tisdol (Eastman, GA) - Long Jump, Matt Smith (Cumming, GA) - 200 meters, Matt Karnes (Corydow, IN) - Pole Vault; on the women’s side, it was Elyse Velte (Waynesville, OH) - 1500 meters and Jessica Scott (Arlington, TX) - Shot Put.  This was an honor that had to be earned during the MSC Championships with each athlete winning their respective events.

An individual honor was bestowed to Patriot Senior, Eric Tisdol.  For his efforts in the Mid-South Conference Championships, he received the Most Outstanding Male Athlete Award.  It marks the third consecutive season that a Patriot male athlete has won this prestigious award.  Tisdol also went on to finish 8th in the High Jump at NAIA National Outdoor Championships.

Patriot Head Coach Floyd Stroud said, “This was another successful season for both teams.  Although we had to work around a few key injuries during the Conference Championships, we are happy with our performance and cannot wait to see how this young team fairs next season, with the majority of the key athletes retuning.”

Once again, the Patriots went up against some of the best talent in the country, in Divisions I, II, III, and NAIA.  During the Indoor season, the Patriots competed in the Findlay University Invitational, DePauw University Invitational and Classic, and Kent State Tune Up, as well as the NAIA Indoor Nationals.  The Outdoor season consisted of meets at UNC-Charlotte, Emory University Classic, Centre College Invitational, University of the Cumberlands Invitational, Eastern Kentucky University Invitational, Auburn University Invitational, Mid-South Conference Championship, Ohio State University (Qualifiers), Indiana University (Qualifiers), and the NAIA Outdoor Nationals.

[2007-08 Wrap-Up] [2006-2007 Wrap-Up] [2005-2006 Wrap-Up] [2004-2005 Wrap-Up]