Bob Tomaszewski
Contributing Writer
Remembering the words of men’s track and field coach Frank Gramarosso who said, “if we can start the day tomorrow like we ended with the steeple chase and the 10k and we end up losing it will still be a victory for us.”
Gramarosso did not have to worry about losing though, as the 5k finale put North Central in first place with 228 points and left Augustana tied with Carthage for second at 201 points.
Sophomore Ben Dickshinski, who finished third in the 5k, (a fourth place close-out by North Central) said, “it was a really great showing as a team.” “Everyone ran smart and were able to bring it home and close off the meet nicely.”
The men conquered in field events as well, as sophmore Adam Weidner won the shot put event with a propulsion of 16.69 meters. This is the 36th title for the men’s outdoor track and field team and the fourth straight year winning the CCIW Championships.
Meanwhile the women’s team had a strong victory as well, accumlating a total of 225.5 points.
“They pulled together as a team and that’s what it takes to win a conference championship,” said head women’s track and field coach Kari Kluckhon.
The women also won the 800-meter race and the 100-meter hurdles among other races.
There were very strong victories in the hammer throw by junior Lina Baker, who finished with a distance of 53.23 meters, and junior Ebony Stallworth in the shot put, who finished with a distance of 14.34 meters.
“It’s not surprising that they’ve won because they have worked so hard for those events and earned it,” said Kluckhon.
There is a strong sense of unity and comradery according to sophomore Kelsey Kirk, who tied with junior Jordan Flowers in the women’s high jump with a 1.63 meter leap.
“The attitude going into the jump was a know-you-can-do-it attitude,” said Kirk.
Both the men and women’s NCC track and field teams participate in the the two-day Dr. Keeler Invitational held at Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium. Day one is scheduled for tomorrow with day two following on Friday.
