2005-2006 Track and Field
Season Wrap-Up
The University of the Cumberlands Track & Field team recently wrapped up their season at the Outdoor Nationals in Fresno, CA. The Patriots had several exceptional runners this season which led to their numerous honors and championships.
The Patriots began their indoor season at the University of Findlay Invitational in Findlay, OH. This was the opening meet for the Patriots which allowed for the athletes to get a look at competition for the season and to prepare both physically and mentally. The Patriots had seven athletes finish in the top ten at Findlay. Next on the schedule was the DePauw Invitational in Greencastle, IN where the Patriots picked up 20 top ten finishers. Overall the women took 11th and the men took 4th. The next weekend, the Patriots traveled back to Greencastle for DePauw’s Classic meet. Thirty-seven of Cumberlands athletes finished in the top ten. At this meet, the Patriot ladies took 3rd place and the men took 2nd. The Patriots then went to the NAIA Indoor National Championship. Ten athletes went to Johnson City, TN to compete in nine events with three UC athletes placing in the top ten. For the men, placing in the top ten, Marius Cozmanciuc (3 rd, 3000 meter run), and for the ladies Shari Reese (6th, Long jump) and the 4x800 meter relay team, Michelle Warnky, Vanity Vasquez, Kelly Schnee, and Shelly Schnee(6th).
NAIA Indoor Nationals wrapped up the indoor season and the Patriots moved on to outdoor season. They started off at the Emory Invitational in Atlanta, GA. The Patriots gained 17 top ten finishers. The next weekend, the Patriots traveled back to Atlanta again for Emory’s Classic meet. At this meet, UC had 30 top ten finishers. The third meet of the outdoor season was The University of the Cumberlands Invitational. At our home track, both the men and women’s teams accumulated enough points to secure second place. The Patriots had 39 top ten finishers at the annual home meet. Next on the schedule for the Patriots, was the Sea Ray Relay Invitational in Knoxville, TN where qualifying athletes competed. The Patriots then hosted the first Mid-South Conference competition. UC had 85 top ten finishers at this meet which led both the men and women’s teams to 1st place overall. At the Western Kentucky University Invitational, UC finished the meet with 18 top ten finishers. Next for the Patriots was the Georgia Tech meet hosted in Atlanta, GA, again for qualifying athletes. Seven of UC’s team members qualified for the NAIA Outdoor Nationals, in six different events, Four, placing in the top ten. In the 400 meter hurdles, Lemuel Holifield (4th), 3000 meter steeplechase, Marius Cozmanciuc (4th). In the 800 meter run, for the women, Shelly Schnee (9th) and Kelly Schnee (7th). This meet concluded the 2006 Track & Field season for the University of the Cumberlands.
Coach Stroud stated, “Overall, it was a successful season with both men and women’s teams winning the first ever Mid-South Conference Championship.” This was also the highlight of the season and a big honor to the team and school. The goal of the season was to win conference, that goal was achieved. The whole team stepped up this season and made sacrifices to win the conference. Numerous athletes were doubling and tripling in events to make sure we scored the points we needed in order to achieve the team’s goal.”
Look for the Patriots to hit the ground running again in 2006 when they look to make their run back to the NAIA Championship.
