Track and Field Men and Women both selected to finish third

DEFIANCE, Ohio – The 2014 Indoor Track and Field HCAC Preseason polls are out and DC is viewed as a team that will be competitive every time they step on the track.  Both men and women were selected to finish third. [Release]

The men's team was selected third by their fellow coaches in the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference.  DC was put in the three spot behind powerhouse, and defending champion, Rose-Hulman, along with Franklin.

Last season at the HCAC Championships, DC finished third behind Rose-Hulman and Franklin.  The Yellow Jackets will have to find a way to replace NCAA Champion Tom Postema on their way to stay competitive in the HCAC.  They look to four athletes who have all been chosen "HCAC Preseason Athletes to Watch" to lead the way; senior Joe Davis (Ontario, Ohio / Ontario), junior Troy Parrett (Cedarville, Ohio / Cedarville), senior Madison Murphy (Westerville, Ohio / Thomas Washington), and senior Anthony Nolfi (Akron, Ohio / Ravenna Southeast).

Davis, Parrett, and Murphy will make the Yellow Jackets very competitive in distance races.

Parrett and Murphy have ran the first and third fastest times in all the HCAC in the 800-meter Run so far in this young season.  Parrett put up a 1:59.46 and Murphy a 2:00.27, both of which have already qualified them for the HCAC Championship in February.  Davis has also already qualified for the HCAC Championship in the 3,000-meter Run.  He has the third fastest time in the HCAC with an 8:50.15.

Nolfi has also held his own in the throwing events.  The senior has qualified for the HCAC Championship with a Weight Throw of 14.70 meters.

The women were picked third also, even receiving a first place vote.  Last season the Yellow Jackets finished fourth.  Hanover and Franklin were the only schools selected to finish in front of DC.

Four women were selected to the "HCAC Preseason Athletes to Watch" for DC, which was a young crew.  Two freshmen, a sophomore, and a senior look to lead the way in points for DC this season.  Senior Kali George (East Palestine, Ohio / East Palestine), sophomore Eme Miller (Portland, Ind. / Jay County), freshman Samantha Cook (Raiford, Fla. / Bradford County), and freshman Micah Wilson (Mims, Fla. / Astronaut) were selected to the team.

George looks to be the senior leader for the Yellow Jackets.  She has already qualified in four different events for the HCAC Championship, including a conference best Long Jump distance of 5.15 meters.  She has also secured her spot in the High Jump, 200-meter dash, and 60-meter dash.

Miller is no stranger to the distance game this season.  After a bronze medal in cross country this fall, Miller looks to continue her success on the track.  Miller owns the best time so far this season in the 800-meter run with a 2:30.31.  She has also already qualified for the mile.

Samantha Cook will lead the way for the DC throwers this winter.  Cook not only has already qualified with a throw of 11.94 meters in the shot put, but that throw also tied a school record in the event.

Wilson looks to make a lot of noise in sprints in just her freshman season.  She has already qualified for both the 60-meter dash and the 200-meter dash.  Not only has she qualified for the events, she owns the best times in each event this season.  She ran the 60-meter in 8.12 and the 200-meter in 27.04.

The Yellow Jackets will look to continue to their early season success with a home meet this Saturday.  It begins at 11 a.m. in the George Smart Athletic Center.