2012 Men’s Track and Field Preview

William Penn University Athletics

2011 MCC finish: 4th of 7
Letterwinners returning/lost: 13/13

Notable returners:
Gabriel Green, Jr., Anniston, Ala.
(Numerous national qualifier)
Nick Reynolds, Sr., Riverton, Utah
(Letterwinner)
Josh Roudabush, Sr., Brooklyn
(Three-time letterwinner)
Blake Washington, So., Knoxville
(Letterwinner)

Notable losses:
Jonathan Pope
(National qualifier)
Carlos Stepter
(Numerous national qualifier)
Javaras Thomas
(All-American)

Notable newcomers:
AJ Michael Rachford, Fr., Agency
Sam Taylor, Fr., Eddyville
Trevor Volz, Fr., Adel
Jalen Wilson, Fr., Desoto, Texas

The 2012 William Penn men’s track and field team is seeking to post one of its best campaigns in recent history as pieces are beginning to fall into place for the navy and gold.

Second-year head coach Allen Friesen has constructed the program with both extreme quality and quantity and he figures his team should definitely be in the mix for a top finish in the Midwest Collegiate Conference after placing fourth last year.

The Statesmen experienced an up-and-down indoor season with sprinter Gabriel Green (Jr., Anniston, Ala., Anniston HS) and jumper Jalen Wilson (Fr., Desoto, Texas, Duncanville HS) headlining the cause as national qualifiers. Green and Wilson both broke school records in their respective events.

“We were so young and so many of our guys had never competed indoors,” Friesen said. “Unfortunately, that was a factor in us not doing as well indoors as we should have. We had some really good success stories and we expect that momentum to extend to this spring.”

Sprints

Now an upperclassman, Green will be sought to take the reins not just in race times, but in a major leadership role as well.

A huge crew will join Green, including, but not limited to, John Kilgore (So., Los Angeles, Calif., West Los Angeles CC), Armond Thigpen (Fr., Park Forest, Ill., Thornton Township HS), Terrance Conway (So., Los Angeles, Calif., West Los Angeles CC), Michael Pilcher (Jr., Eddyville, Eddyville-Blakesburg HS), and Antoine Mitchell (Fr., Detroit, Mich., Highland Park HS).

“Gabe should have a great year, but we are expecting big things from our entire sprinting crew,” Friesen said. “With this set of young men, we should score a lot of points in the sprints as well as in the short relays.”

Middle Distance

Newfound depth has Friesen excited for improved middle-distance times this spring.

Returners Josh Roudabush (Sr., Brooklyn, BGM HS), Blake Washington (So., Knoxville, Knoxville HS), and Dexter Jordan (So., St. Louis, Mo., Forrest Park CC) will be accompanied by new faces Tylor Hoyle (Fr., Mount Pleasant, Mount Pleasant HS) and Nick Thomas (Fr., Salmon, Idaho, Salmon HS).

“We filled some holes in the mid-distance events,” Friesen said. “Again, with work under their belts from the indoor season, I am excited to see what we can do.”

Distance

The long races are projected to be one of William Penn’s weaknesses this year.

Nick Reynolds (Sr., Riverton, Utah, Iowa Western CC) led the cross country team in the fall and will be saddled up for a lot of work this spring. Cameron Pittman (So., Carl Junction, Mo., Carl Junction HS) and newcomer Deane Wichelt (Fr., Blue Grass, Durant HS) should provide quality depth, but quantity will be the team’s biggest issue.

“Nick and Cameron should do well for us,” Friesen said. “I am hoping Deane can ease some of Nick’s burden.”

Hurdles

A trio of freshmen, Sam Taylor (Fr., Eddyville, Eddyville-Blakesburg HS), Trevor Volz (Fr., Adel, ADM HS), and AJ Michael Rachford (Fr., Agency, Cardinal HS), had triumphant starts to their careers during the winter and Friesen is ecstatic about their potential this spring.

“These three guys went low invite after invite and broke school records,” Friesen said. “They nearly qualified for nationals, so I have no doubt they will have great springs.”

Jumps

Wilson’s spring looks bright after qualifying for the national meet earlier this month.

Tyler Shipley (So., State Center, West Marshall HS) and Cody Hill (Fr., New Orleans, La., De Lasalle HS) also figure to produce long results.

“We are getting more and more guys in the jumps, which is only a good thing,” Friesen said. “Jalen should do very well this spring and Cody, also as just a freshman, should be a great complement to him.”

Throws

The navy and gold find themselves quite thin in the throws with returner Michael Fulton (Sr., St. Louis, Mo., Eureka HS) guiding the small group.

“Michael will need to continue his improvement if we are going to score points in the throws this spring,” Friesen said. “He has the potential, but needs to really work at it in the next month.”

Conference

Defending champion Grand View has the inside track for another title, while the Statesmen will join Ashford, St. Ambrose, and Mount Mercy as darkhorse candidates for the crown.

“Our expectations are very high for the outdoor campaign,” Friesen said. “Now that our young guys have seen collegiate competition, they know what to expect and know how hard they must work for success. We have good depth in a lot of events and that should translate into big points at conference and hopefully more qualifiers at nationals.”