Terps Travel to Big Ten Championships

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The first trip to the Big Ten Indoor Track and Field Championships will occur this week, as the Terps travel to Geneva, Ohio. The indoor championships will be held at the Spire Institute, an indoor complex that houses a 300m track along with field event areas and a seating capacity of 5,000 spectators. The Terrapin squad is looking to make their presence known in this arena.

Leading the way will be seniors Amber Melville and Thea LaFond. Both student-athletes have earned Big Ten athlete of the week honors this indoor season. Melville, the 2014 ACC indoor high jump champion, will look to add some Big Ten accolades to her resume. Currently Melville is tied for the #1 spot with Marusa Cernjul from Nebraska on the Big Ten performance list. Coach Andrew Valmon has confidence in Melville's preparations saying, “Amber has been a great leader this year and has shown the necessary poise and tenacity necessary for competition at this level.”

Thea LaFond will have her hands full as she competes in multiple events this weekend. LaFond, the 2014 ACC Indoor triple jump champion, will make her mark in this event within the stage of the Big Ten in addition to demonstrating her versatility in the other events on the track and in the field. Valmon stated that, “Thea thrives in competitive environments and I am excited to see what she will do among new competitors in the Big Ten. She is ready for this challenge and will rise to the occasion.”

Other strong contenders for the Terps include Myah Hicks in the 800m, who has continued to perform well in the middle distance events. Shade Pratt will tackle the 600m race, an event that was not offered in the ACC conference championships. Chioma Onyekwere will continue to make her mark in the throwing events. Her marks at Navy in the weight throw and shot put show an upward swing heading into the championship season.

Additional contributors in the sprinting events include Micha Powell, Lisa Meneau, and Noella Anyangwe. In the distance events, Emily VandeWater, Catherine Sheffo, and Sydney Almeida will look to make their mark in the longer events. In the field, freshmen first timers, Peyton Wade, Kayla Richardson and Claudia Ababio will have their first try at the Big Ten.