Jan. 24, 2003

The 2003 track season is upon us. FAU enters its third year of competition but there are many new faces on this year's squad. FAU welcomes a new head coach and six freshmen and three athletes that return to track after taking time off a squad that graduated six seniors a year ago.

Alex Smolka takes over the young program after guiding the women's cross country team to one of their most successful team seasons.

"On paper we should do very well," said Smolka. "We're not as deep as perennial favorite UCF, but what we lack in quantity we make up in quality."

FAU will be looking to build on the success of finishing fourth at the Atlantic Sun Outdoor Championships from last year.

"This team looks very young but they also look very good. The freshmen have been performing consistently in practice, and are eager to compete. They have an excellent performance background but we will have to wait for them to translate that into college."

Short Distance
The Owls are going to depend on sophomore Daquia McCoy in the 55m. The Jacksonville native had a breakthrough freshman year as she broke school records in the 55m, 100m and 200m. Her steady running and experience in big races will be invaluable to the young team.

High school teammates Malika Clary and Jian Jones and Maryllin Stephens should be the rising stars in the sprints. Clary, a freshman from James Rickards high school, has shown promise in practice while Jones and Stephens are not far behind. All have flashes of speed that can propel the Owls to the head of the pack.

According to Smolka, last year the team struggled in the 400m because the Owls lacked a true 400m runner. Freshman Marcia Laws was recruited specifically to hold down the even and could bring credibility to that position. Depth will be brought to the position by freshman walk-on Shanna Williams. Veterans Helenor Wilson, who finished second at the A-Sun Championship a year ago in the 400m hurdles, Cindy Lane and Reneisha Byrd will also run the 400m.

Middle Distance
The track team has been built around those who run both cross country and track, therefore middle distance should be a strength for the Owls. Three-time cross country runner-of-the-week Raynell Hagberg will anchor the 800m. Hagberg enters her second season of track, however her freshman campaign was hampered by illness and injury. Freshman Anionette Foster will also run the 800m

Kathryn Murnane is coming off a successful cross country season and will work to translate the same success on the track in the 1500m. She will be joined by verteran and one of the team captains, Claudia Beitel, who missed most of last season due to stress fractures.

"Though Murnane ran cross country, her first love is track," said Smolka. "Hopefully she will be able to be as successful as she was in cross country."

Long Distance
For the first time in conference history, the 3000m steeple chase will be. This event consists of three hurdles that run the width of the track and one five-foot long water pit that inclines in depth. Junior Abby Moore returns from a year hiatus to compete in this event.

Shot Put, Discus, Hammer Throw and Javelin
These events will be the team's strength with sophomore Nina Panebianco and junior Ashley Stough leading the Owls. Panebianco placed second in the discus competition at the A-Sun conference championship and will be counted on to continue her success.

"Ashley is strong in all four events where Nina is extremely strong in discus and is working to improve in the remaining events," said Smolka. "Ashley tore her ACL a year ago and is currently making a strong comeback."

High Jump and Long Jump
Jones and Laws will double up in sprints and jumps this year. Smolka and new assistant coach Carlos Valle are extremely pleased with their progress and willingness to learn.

While the roster is dotted with newcomers, the team also welcomes the addition of Valle, who specialized in sprints and technique. Valle will combine his expertise with Smolka's knowledge of distance to reach a balance as the team prepares for the conference championship.

"His [Carlos] main asset has been to take our raw talent and develop technique to make them better," said Smolka. "It's one thing to be a fast runner, and another to be a sprinter. It takes a lot of fine tuning to be a sprinter and he is helping the team with those tactics."

Though this team is inexperienced in the collegiate ranks, they are not to be overlooked. The speed and talent of this squad is poised and ready to surprise the conference.

"We are certainly primed to break a number of school records," said Smolka. "I think we are going to demolish some of the old times and distances."