Women capture third straight NCAA Division III Outdoor Track and Field National Championship

May 24, 2003

CANTON, NY- The Wheaton College women's outdoor track and field team captured its third consecutive NCAA Division III Championship Saturday afternoon at St. Lawrence University's Merrick-Pinkard Track and Field Complex. The Lyons also became the first NCAA Division III women's track program to sweep the indoor and outdoor national titles three straight years.

Alongside five consecutive indoor national championships, the Wheaton women have combined for an astounding eight track and field titles over the last five years, which ties the University of Wisconsin at Oshkosh for the second most combined national crowns at the NCAA Division III level. The Lyons capped their memorable weekend in becoming the third NCAA Division III women's track and field program to capture three successive outdoor titles, joining Wisconsin-Oshkosh (1995-97) and Christopher Newport University (1987-89) as the only other two programs to accomplish such a feat.

Despite an uneventful first two days in which Wheaton posted four points, the Lyons amassed a flurry of scoring in the final day of competition, finishing with an impressive 72 points. Following the Lyons was Lehman (NY) with 52 points, Wisconsin-La Crosse with 34 points, Christopher Newport (VA) with 32 points and Wisconsin-Oshkosh with 31.5 points. On the men's side, Wheaton finished in a tie for 30th overall with 10 points. Wisconsin-Lacrosse captured the men's team title with 88 points.

"Each and every year the competition in this division becomes better and better and in turn that makes it awfully difficult to continually win national championships," said head coach Paul Souza. "For our athletes to come out and perform at a very high level at the biggest meet of the year in sub par weather conditions is amazing. Our younger athletes see what the veteran athletes are accomplishing and in turn they go out and accomplish the same thing."

Junior Amber James (Woodbury, MN/Woodbury) once again spearheaded Wheaton's championship run with four incredible performances. James had a hand in racking up an impressive 35 points highlighted by three National Championships in the 200-meter dash, 400-meter dash and 4x400-meter relay events and an All-America finish in the 4x100-meter relay. Over her three-year career, James has been a part of a stellar six-team national championships and 14 event national titles.

James not only set a Merrick-Pinkard Track record in defending her 400-meter title but also finished with the fastest time at the Division III level this season in 54.25. In addition to winning the 400M event for the third straight season, James was just as impressive in the 200-meter dash final, successfully defending her title with a time of 24.60.

James finished her unprecedented day by anchoring the 4x400-meter relay squad to a second straight national prize, as the Wheaton foursome took top honors in 3:43.32, which not only shattered a five-year old school record but also set a Division III season-best time and new Merrick-Pinkard Track mark. Joining James was senior Jana Bromell (Spencer, MA/David Prouty), junior Vernick Smith (Camden, NJ/Woodrow Wilson) and sophomore Tessa Donoghue (Springfield, MA/Cathedral). James also anchored the 4x100-meter relay team earlier in the day, leading the Lyons to a fourth place finish in 46.88. James was assisted by Smith, sophomore Jessica Allegra (East Hampton, CT/East Hampton) and first-year Aspen James (Woodbury, MN/Woodbury).

In addition to James, Smith made her first outdoor national event with Wheaton a memorable one, as she sprinted to the nation's top spot in the 100-meter dash. Entering the event with the fastest Division III time of the year, Smith lived up to her billing winning the event in 12.02. She followed her national championship in the 100M with an impressive performance in the 400-meter hurdles, earning All-America status with a third place finish while breaking Wheaton's all-time record in 60.40.

Other All-America performances came from seniors Noreen Kordzeil (Chittenango, NY/Chittenango) and Kristen Cullen (Stoneham, MA/Stoneham) in the 100-meter hurdles. Missing the top time by a mere eight-hundredths of a second, Kordzeil settled for a second place mark with a time of 14.51. Cullen placed fifth overall in 14.76. In the field, sophomore Kathrine Wallace (Glenmoore, PA/The Hill School) landed her first All-America tag in the high jump, clearing a height of 5' 5 3/4" en route to a fourth place finish. Donoghue rounded out Wheaton's point totals with a fifth place leap in the triple jump on Friday, landing a mark of 39' 9 1/4".

Leading the Wheaton men with 10 points was sophomore Dan Olson (Voorheesville, NY/Albany Academy), as he successfully defended his national championship in the high jump with a clearance of 7' 1". Earning his third individual title at a national event, Olson's mark tied his own NCAA Division III season-best height and in the process set a new Merrick-Pinkard Track record.

When asked about extending the national title streak, Souza added, "We have another great class coming in who will look to continue the tradition." "The credit must go to the athletes who show up and perform at an optimal level during the biggest meets of the year. Our upperclassmen have great leadership and every year the next class steps up and takes the reign. Nobody wants to end the streak."

MEET HIGHLIGHTS:

* Wheaton women captured its third consecutive NCAA Division III Outdoor Championship

* Wheaton women earned its eighth national title (indoor and outdoor) over a five-year span, tying the University of Wisconsin at Oshkosh for the second most combined national championships for a women's program at the NCAA Division III level

* Wheaton women became the first NCAA Division III women's program to have swept three straight indoor and outdoor national championships

* Wheaton women posted four event National Champions and 10 All-Americas, Men had one event National Champion and one All-America

* Amber James defended her title in the 400-meter dash while capturing the crown in the 200-meter dash and anchoring the winning 4x400-meter relay team

* Amber James shattered the Merrick-Pinkard Track record in the 400-meter dash and anchored the facility and school-record setting 4x400-meter relay team

* Vernick Smith captured the national championship in the 100-meter dash and set a school record in the 400-meter hurdles

* Dan Olson defended his national title and tied his own NCAA Division III season best in the high jump

Following is a list of individual and relay events (top eight placements earn All-America status):
WOMEN
Name Event Result Finish
Noelle Battista Pole Vault 11' 7" 11th
Jana Bromell 400 Meter Dash 56.66 ---
Kristen Cullen 100 Meter Hurdles 14.76 5th
Tessa Donoghue 400 Meter Dash 57.61 ---
Triple Jump 39' 9 1/4" 5th
Long Jump 18' 1" ---
Amber James 200 Meter Dash 24.60 1st
400 Meter Dash 54.25 1st
Aspen James 100 Meter Dash 12.64 ---
200 Meter Dash 25.70 ---
Noreen Kordzeil 100 Meter Hurdles 14.51 2nd
Kirsten Larsen Javelin 117' 10" ---
Vernick Smith 100 Meter Dash 12.02 1st
400 Meter Hurdles 60.40 3rd
Kim Spence 400 Meter Hurdles 63.92 ---
Kathrine Wallace High Jump 5' 5 3/4" 4th
Smith, Aspen James, 4x100 Meter Relay 46.88 4th
Jessica Allegra, Amber James
Donoghue, Smith, 4x400 Meter Relay 3:43.32 1st
Bromell, Amber James

MEN
Name Event Result Finish
Dan Olson High Jump 7' 1" 1st

Last updated on 5/28/03.
Send questions about this page to Scott Dietz or contact Wheaton College.

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