As the men's track and field team gears up for the indoor season, it is putting the finishing touches on its off-season training. And if the strength of the team and its off-season efforts are anything to go on, Dartmouth is shaping up to have a successful season.
For the mid-distance and distance squads, Dartmouth Cross Country is fresh from a second-place finish at the 2004 Heptagonals and looks ready to run well. Dave Burnham '06 and Quinn Thomas '05 should both score in distance events.
With regard to mid-distance, "If this group can stay healthy they should do extremely well," said head coach Barry Harwick '77. Brian Hanley '05, a team captain, and Bart van Veghel '06 will lead the mid-distance squad.
In the field events, Dartmouth throwers Mike Mozer '05 and Rob Kerris '07 should both score at Heps. While many of the Ivies lost throwers with last year's graduation, Dartmouth retained all of its throwing team.
The sprinters are perhaps Dartmouth's thinnest group, but they have considerable talent to work with. Juniors Fatih Stanley '06 and Ikechi Ogbonna '06 have helped set the 4x100 record for Dartmouth, and Ricky Cedrone '07 has stepped up early to lead a hungry group of freshman sprinters.
Brian McCarthy, a senior and team captain, will lead in the jumps. Coming off an outdoor Heps victory in the high jump, he said, "After finishing last [at Heps in 2004], Dartmouth is on a mission to succeed. A focused fall and 'team' attitude should go a long way towards making Dartmouth a league threat this year."
The men's team is led by the coaching of Harwick and Carl Wallin.
"I expect us to have a very strong season," Harwick said. "We have a well-balanced team with talented athletes in each of the event areas."
The Dartmouth men have three indoor meets in January, and will be looking to make their mark on track and field in the 2005 indoor and outdoor seasons.
