December 8, 2004

Indoor Preview

History is in the making for the Akron track & field program. The completion of the new fieldhouse enables the team to host indoor track & field meets for the first time. In 2005 the Zips will host four collegiate indoor meets and two high school meets. Kicking off the season and christening the new facility will be the Skip Summerville Invitational on January 14. This scored meet will bring Ashland, Duquesne, and Pittsburgh to Akron to compete against the Zips.

The core of the Akron women's team will be its middle distance strength. That group will be led by three-time All American, seven-time MAC individual champion Beata Rudzinska. A 2:03 800m runner, Rudzinska is not alone in demonstrating 800m prowess. Jennie Castle is a two-time All MAC performer in that event with a 2:08 PR and she is joined by Emily Freudenrich (2:07) and Kia Flowers (2:07). Morgan Sulzener (17:05 for 5km), coming off her NCAA qualifying cross country season, Brandi Schoeppner (17:11 for 5km) and Adriana Zalucka (16:54 for 5km) are strong and experienced in the distance events.

The men's group combines proven veterans, led by David Howard (All MAC in cross country) and David Pykare (one of the top returning milers from last year's MAC meet), with newcomers Lenny King, Craig Rupe, andRicky Weisheimer to create an exciting mix for the indoor season.

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Jennie Castle (2:08), Beata Rudzinska (2:03), and Emily Freudenrich (2:07) look to build on last year's success in the 2005 season.