Women's Track & Field

Women Track & Field
 
 
 
Head Coach: Dave Wood (18th year)
Assistant Coaches: Mike Wojciakowski (15th year), Neil Reilly (13th year), Jim Baker (9th year) and Matt Hewson (3rd year)
 
 
Schedule and Results | Team Roster | Coach Profiles
 
Aquinas College Track Website
 
 

2013 Schedule & Results

Indoor Track Schedule
DATE EVENT/SITE TIME/PLACE
Fri., Nov. 30 GVSU Laker Early Bird/Allendale, Mich. Results
Fri., Dec. 14 GVSU Holiday Open/ Allendale, Mich. Results
Sat., Jan. 5 @ Calvin College/Grand Rapids, Mich. 10 a.m.
Fri., Jan. 11 Chippewa Invitational/Mount Pleasant, Mich.

Results

Fri., Jan. 18 Mike Lints Open/ Allendale, Mich. Results
Sat., Jan. 26 NAIA/NCAA DIII Challenge/Bourbonnais, Ill. Results
Fri., Feb. 1 Trine Invitational #2/Angola, Ind. Results

Fri. - Sat.,

Feb. 8-9

GVSU Big Meet/Allendale, Mich. Results
Sat., Feb. 9 Calvin College Invitational/Grand Rapids, Mich. Results
Sat., Feb. 16 WHAC Championships/ Angola, Ind. 4th out of 6

Thurs. - Sat.,

Feb. 28 - March 2

NAIA Indoor Championships/Geneva, Ohio

30th out of 54

Video Streaming

 
Outdoor Track Schedule
DATE EVENT/SITE TIME/PLACE

Fri., Sat.,

March 29-30

Grand Rapids Open/ Grand Rapids, Mich.

Meet Information

Results
Sat., April 6 Spartan Invitational/East Lansing, Mich.

Results

 

Sat., April 20

Al Owens Classic/Allendale, Mich.

Results
Sat., April 27 Ernie Mousseau Track & Field Classic/Grand Rapids, Mich. Results

Thurs. - Fri.,

May 2-3

WHAC Championships/Grand Rapids, Mich.

Meet Information

3rd out of 7
Wed., May 8

Aquinas Twilight/Grand Rapids, Mich.

Meet Information

Results

Fri., May 10

GVSU Last Chance Meet/Allendale, Mich.

Day One Results

Day Two Results

Thu.-Sat., May 23-25 NAIA Outdoor Championships/Marion, Ind.

Video Streaming

Live Results

 

Roster

Photos Name Yr. Event Hometown/High School (College)
Lesley Albert Lesley Albert Sr. Distance Belding, Mich./Belding
Rachel Bartels Rachel Bartels Sr. Throws Grand Blanc, Mich./Grand Blanc
Kasey Blank Kasey Blank Fr. Sprints/Hurdles Grand Rapids, Mich./Forest Hills Eastern
Mary Bogardus Mary Bogardus Fr. Middle Distance Grandville, Mich./Grandville
Kelsey Carpenter Kelsey Carpenter Jr. Distance Grand Rapids, Mich./West Catholic
Elizabeth Carpenter Elizabeth Carpenter Fr. Throws Michigan City, Ind./Michigan City
Fiana Comer Fiana Comer Fr. Sprints Kentwood, Mich./East Kentwood
Jessica Dippel Jessica Dippel Jr. Middle Distance Kentwood, Mich./East Kentwood
Alicia Dorko Alicia Dorko Jr. Vault Schoolcraft, Mich./Schoolcraft
Krystin Dreyer Krystin Dreyer So. Middle Distance Gaylord, Mich./Gaylord
Lindsey Friend Lindsey Friend Fr. Middle Distance Glen Lake, Mich./Glen Lake
Brooke Fuller Brooke Fuller Jr. Sprints Manchester, Mich./Manchester
Clancey Hawke Clancey Hawke Fr. Distance Traverse City, Mich./Traverse City West
Emily Hazelbach Emily Hazelbach Fr. Distance Caledonia, Mich./Caledonia
Kaitlyn Henniger Kaitlyn Henniger So. Sprints St. Charles, Mich./St. Charles
Erika Heston Erika Heston So. Sprints/Hurdles Haslett, Mich./Haslett
Kyra Hull Kyra Hull Fr. Thrower Grand Rapids, Mich./Forest Hills Eastern
Marissa Ingersoll Marissa Ingersoll Fr. Sprints Fife Lake, Mich./Forest Area High School
Amber Jefferson Amber Jefferson Fr. Sprints Muskegon, Mich./Reeths Puffer
Lindsey Karpowicz Lindsey Karpowicz Sr. Throws Grandville, Mich./Grandville
Jackie Katt Jackie Katt Sr. Middle Distance Rockford, Mich./Rockford
Alex King Alex King Fr. Sprints/Hurdles/Jumps Lakeview, Mich./Lakeview
Courtney Klawieter Courtney Klawieter Fr. Sprints Rockford, Mich./Rockford
Dana Kolnitys Dana Kolnitys So. Sprints/Hurdles Tawas, Mich./Tawas
Kayleigh Kramer Kayleigh Kramer So. Middle Distance Grand Rapids, Mich./Northview
Clare Naughton Clare Naughton Fr. Distance Northville, Mich./Northville
Crysta Paganelli Crysta Paganelli Fr. Middle Distance Grand Rapids, Mich./Northview
Britta Patterson Britta Patterson Fr. Distance Cadillac, Mich./Cadillac
Carly Plank Carly Plank Jr. Distance Grand Rapids, Mich./Northview
Taylor Pryde Taylor Pryde Fr. Middle Distance Hartland, Mich./Hartland
Rachel Reyna Rachel Reyna Sr. Distance Swartz Creek, Mich./Swartz Creek
Micaila Rice Micaila Rice Fr. Sprints Schoolcraft, Mich./Schoolcraft
Catie Rietsema Catie Rietsema So. Distance Rockford, Mich./Rockford
Marika Rietsema Marika Rietsema Jr. Vault Byron Center, Mich./Byron Center
Jamie Sansone Jamie Sansone So. Distance Joliet, Ill./Lincoln Way Central
Emily Sarros Emily Sarros Jr. Vault Grand Rapids, Mich./ Forest Hills Eastern
Megan Skinner Megan Skinner Fr. Distance Hartland, Mich./Hartland
Emily Smith Emily Smith Sr. Throws Port Huron, Mich./Port Huron
Rachael Steil Rachael Steil Jr. Distance Grandville, Mich./Grandville
Allison VanPatten Allison VanPatten Fr. Middle Distance Grand Rapid, Mich./Kenowa Hills
Carley Woolcott Carley Woolcott Fr. Distance Huron, Mich./New Boston
 

Coaches

Dave Wood DAVE WOOD Head Coach -- Dave Wood begins his 18th season as the Head Track & Field Coach. Wood's tenure has been nothing short of phenomenal. He has directed the men's and women's programs from the basement in the Wolverine Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC) to the head of the pack. The Saints' have won twenty WHAC indoor and outdoor team titles since 1998. Success under Wood's direction hasn't been limited to the conference level. Competing at the NAIA National Championships both indoors and outdoors, Saints' athletes earned All-American honors 75 times including four NAIA National Champions and four runners-up finishes during Wood's tenure. Those accomplishments have earned Wood seven NAIA Regional Coach of the Year awards. The Saints' success under Wood's direction comes as no surprise. The 1972 Michigan Class A mile champion and a middle distance standout at Central Michigan University, Wood has been developing team and individual champions at the high school, junior college and collegiate level since his first coaching assignment at Grand Rapids Union High School, his alma mater, in 1976. A USATF Level II certified coach in the sprints and hurdles, Wood came to Aquinas after an outstanding twelve-year stint as Head Cross Country and Track & Field Coach at Ferris State University. Wood was honored with a total of 10 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) "Coach of the Year" awards while guiding the Bulldogs to 11 GLIAC Championships in cross country and track & field. In addition to having his teams consistently ranked in the NCAA II top 20, Wood was recognized four times as NCAA II Great Lakes Region "Coach of the Year". His success at the national level was highlighted by 35 All-Americans, three National Champions and a seventh place finish at the NCAA II Outdoor Track & Field Championships during his tenure as Ferris State's coach.
 
Coach Woj MIKE WOJCIAKOWSKI Assistant Coach --
A 1997 Aquinas College graduate, Mike Wojciakowski is in his 15th year as the Cross Country Coach and Assistant Track Coach at Aquinas College. "Woj's" success with the middle distance and distance runners has been exceptional. He has directed the men's and women's Cross Country teams to 14 WHAC Championships, six Region VIII championships and nine top ten finishes at the NAIA National Championships, including a second place finish in 2004 (the highest national finish for any team in Aquinas College history) and a third place finish in 2008.  A 14-time WHAC Coach of the Year, Woj's success on the track has been just as spectacular. The Saints are fresh off a National Championship in the Men's 4x800 Relay at the 2012 NAIA Outdoor Championships under Woj's direction. He has sent numerous athletes to the indoor and outdoor national championships, 37 of them receiving All American recognition a total of 74 times. Mike has guided many runners to the Saints top five all time performance list as well.  A USA Track and Field Level II certified coach in the distance events, Woj's knowledge, personal approach and work ethic has been responsible for developing the Saints distance program into one of the best small college programs in the nation.  A four year varsity letter winner in both cross country and track for the Saints, Wojciakowski captained both teams during his senior year. An outstanding student as well as a runner, Wojciakowski earned Academic All American honors in cross country his senior year.  Mike and his wife, Amorena, and their daughters, Cecelia and Julia , reside on the northwest side of Grand Rapids.
 
Coach Reilly NEIL REILLY Assistant Coach -- Neil Reilly begins his 13th year on the Saints' coaching staff. A 1988 Aquinas College graduate, this is Reilly's second stint with the Saints as he was as an assistant coach from 1989-90 following his graduation from Aquinas.
 
An All-State discus thrower for Traverse City St. Francis in 1984, Reilly's contribution has been significant. Under his direction the throwing events have produced 18 individual WHAC Champions, 30 national qualifiers and eight All-Americans. In addition, Reilly's athletes have rewritten the record books in the throwing events.
 
A four year letter-winner for the Saints' from 1985-88, Reilly enjoyed a stellar career as a "thrower" at Aquinas. A three-time national qualifier in the 35 lb. Weight, Reilly was recognized twice as a NAIA Academic All-American. The former school record holder in the 35 lb. Weight, Reilly is listed in the top-five performance list in every throwing event for the Saints.
 
Coach Baker JIM BAKER Assistant Coach -- Starting his ninth year on the Saints' coaching staff, Jim Baker brings a wealth of experience and abilities as both a coach and athlete. A graduate of Central Michigan University, Baker earned four letters in both cross country and track & field while running in a CMU singlet. In addition Baker won a Mid-American Conference title at 800 meters and has run a personal best of 1:48.0 for that distance. Baker enjoyed notable success as a high school coach at Rockford High School for the past 17 years. During his tenure as Head Coach Baker directed the team to four conference championships, three regional titles, two MITCA team state titles and two MHSAA Track & Field Finals runner-up finishes. In addition he has had numerous athletes earn All-State and All-Conference honors. While a middle distance runner by trade, Baker has significant experience coaching all the running events. A USATF Level I Coach, Baker will use that expertise to assist with the Saints' sprint and hurdle squads.
 
Coach Hewson

Matt Hewson Assistant Coach -- Matt Hewson is the newest addition to the Aquinas track & field staff. A 2010 Aquinas graduate and a four-year letter-winner in track & field Hewson was a driving force behind the Saints three WHAC Outdoor Championships during the 2008-2010 seasons.

An accomplished sprinter during his collegiate career Hewson was a consistent scorer in the indoor and outdoor WHAC Conference Meets for Aquinas and participated in three NAIA National Meets. Hewson's leadership skills were recognized by the track & field program when the Captain's Award was renamed the Matt Hewson Captain's Award following his graduation in 2010.

Hewson will work with the sprinters and hurdlers.

Season Preview

Sprints/Hurdles

The Lady Saints have some big shoes to fill this season after graduating three seniors from last year. Samantha DeStefano and Joordn Hall graduated from the program with a combined seven top five performances, three school records, and both of them were members of all five top five 4x100m relay teams.  The Saints will be led this year by junior Brooke Fuller of Manchester, and sophomores Dana Kolnitys of Tawas, Fiana Comer of East Kentwood and Kaitlyn Henninger of St. Charles. With Kolnitys the only returning member of the 4x100m relay team, the Saints will look to rebuild with some exciting new prospects in Marissa Ingersoll of Forest Area, Micaila Rice of Schoolcraft and Courtney Klawieter of Rockford.  Klawieter will also join Comer and Henninger coming off strong first seasons to bring the women’s 4x400m relay back to being a conference contender. The Lady Saints hurdlers will be led by sophomore Erika Heston of Haslett. Owning the #4 outdoor 100 hurdle and #3  indoor 60 hurdle performances and a two- time national qualifier last season, Heston is back for more and will look to guide freshmen Alex King of Lakeview and Kasey Blank of Forest Hills Eastern to follow in her footsteps. Kolnitys will also be joining the hurdling group this year and is excited to see what she can accomplish with her new event.

 

Jumps

The Lady Saints vault crew will once again be a solid group of contenders. The Saints return junior Alicia Dorko of Schoolcraft who holds both indoor and outdoor school records and is a three-time national qualifier and earned All-American Honors during the 2012 indoor season.  Juniors Emily Sarros of Forest Hills Eastern and Marika Rietsema of Byron Center are also both on the Saints indoor and outdoor ‘Top 5’ lists in the pole vault and first year vault Coach Ray Lohner is excited about what they may accomplish this season.

 

Throws

The Saints return three- time All-American and five- time national qualifier Emily Smith of Port Huron. Emily holds the school record in the 20 lb. weight throw indoors, the #3 throws in both the discus and shot put outdoors, and the #4 throw in the hammer outdoors.  Joining Emily is senior Rachel Bartels of Grand Blanc who specializes in the 20 lb.weight and the hammer throw, freshmen Kyra Hull from Forest Hills Eastern and freshmen Elizabeth Carpenter of Michigan City, Indiana.

 

Middle Distance

Once the backbone of the team; the women’s middle distance group has fallen on lean times over the last couple of seasons.  An inflection of talented and motivated individuals has the coaching staff excited to get this group back to its hay-day.  Senior Jackie Katt will look to freshman Mary Bogardus, Crysta Paganelli, Allison VanPatten and Taylor Pryde to lead the charge.  The fact that this group is young may make for some early “growing pains”, but the long term growth and development of this group has loads of potential.  The team will focus on qualifying the relays this year and building a great base for future seasons.

 

Distance

The women’s distance crew will be one of the strengths of the 2013 squad.  The women recently finished seventh at NAIA Cross Country National Championships (the highest finish in school history) and will look to build on their successes from the fall.  The Saints will be led up front by All-WHAC XC performers Rachael Steil, Britta Patterson and Carley Woolcott.  Added depth in the distance events will be provided by Catie Rietsema, Emily Hazelbach and Kelsey Carpenter.  The crew will focus on a strong winter base building phase and will really look for some outstanding performances once they hit the outdoor tracks.