COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The Maryland indoor track and field team opens its 2015 campaign with the Penn State Relays this Saturday in University Park, Pa.
The Terrapins will rely on senior leadership this indoor season. Returning All-Americans Amber Melville and Thea LaFond will helm the senior class.
Melville is coming off of a successful junior season where she was the ACC Indoor champion in the high jump and second team All-American in the high jump. Her top mark from 2014 included a jump of 6'1.25” at the indoor championships. LaFond also boasts an impressive resume heading into her senior campaign. At the 2014 ACC Indoor Championships, LaFond won the triple jump (43' 6.50”) and the pentathlon (4222 points). She also placed fourth in the high jump (6'0.75). At the NCAA Championships LaFond was named a second team All-American in the pentathlon and earned recognition as the Mid-Atlantic Field Athlete of the Year.
The rest of the senior class will support the duo's high bar of success. Myah Hicks will finish her collegiate career looking to continue onto post-season competition in the 800m. Hicks has posted a time of 2:06.85 in the event during her career. Shade Pratt, also a member of the women's soccer team, has contributed as a strong relay runner and will look to add the 600m event to her repertoire at the Big Ten Championships. Dominique Davis (sprints), Maeve McCoy (distance), Sydnee Pierce (jumps), Charlotte Staver (mid-distance) and Jacqueline Tape (hurdles), round out the veteran performers on the team.
The junior class features Chioma Onyekwere, who proved to be a reliable point scorer in the throws last season. Onyekwere looks to continue onto post-season competition following her performance at the NCAA first round last spring in the shot put where she achieved a season best mark of 52'11” in 2014. Emily VandeWater and Catherine Sheffo will be contenders in the distance events this season ranging from the mile through the 5k. Noella Anyangwe (hurdles), Lauren Ball (multi-events), and Katie Nappi (distance) add to the strength in the junior class.
The sophomore class is one of the larger groups that will be leaned on this season. With a year of collegiate experience under its belt, this young group will continue to grow and develop in the Big Ten. Lisa Meneau will look to continue her success in the hurdles and relays. Micha Powell showed great progression in 2014 and will look to continue this heading into the new year in the 400m event. Taylor Tucker and Rachelle Alexander were key contributors in the relays last season and will continue these efforts along with the open events. Help from other sophomore class members will come from; Ambur Ballew (jumps), Charde' Barnes (distance), Alexandra Cimino (hurdles/sprints), Catherine Voelpel (dprints), Sydney Almeida (distance), Alexa Squirini (mid-distance), and Karah O'Halloran (distance).
The newcomers to the program will set the stage for their first collegiate track experience and bring some strong high school performances to the Big Ten. Kayla Richardson (jumps), Peyton Wade (multi-events/jumps), Alexandra Lucki (mid-distance), and Claudia Ababio (throws) lead the freshman class. Additional contributors from the incoming class include; Vickie Ajimoko (distance), Amanda Ashe (distance), Chandler Baxter (sprints), Erin Causey (Distance), Breanna Coleman (jumps/sprints), Isabella Laurel (jumps), Adrienne Minor (sistance), Julia Reed (sistance).
Head coach Andrew Valmon is looking forward to a team comprised of a mix of strong upperclassmen and an eager young group.
“Our motto this year is 'It's our time',” Valmon said. “The athletes are coming into the new conference with energy and the will to make a strong first impression. This senior class has contributed from early on in their career and will set the stage for the young group to follow.”
While the men's program is limited to a full outdoor competition season, it is able to compete in some indoor competitions with the exception of the Big Ten Championships. Throughout the season, several male athletes will travel to compete and tune up to prepare for a successful outdoor campaign. Like the women, senior leadership will be key with the following men coming off of successful campaigns in 2014; Derek Holland (jumps), Pat Cole (throws), Lionel Wilson (400m), transfer Jakub Zivec (1500m), Kikanae Punyua (distance), Trey Sherman (sprints), and Terrence Maliff (mid-distance). Several freshmen and transfer athletes will strengthen Maryland's squad.
Terp fans will be able to get a taste of the squad at the Terrapin Invitational in Landover, Md. on Jan. 17.
