On the Right Track (& Field)
Cara DeAngelis ’14 is shown here competing in the 2011 NCAA Division III men’s and women’s outdoor track & field championships. DeAngelis is expected to compete again May 22-24, when the championships return to Ohio Wesleyan and Delaware. (Photo courtesy of OWU’s Office of Marketing and Communication)
Ohio Wesleyan is poised to be well-represented at the NCAA Division III men’s and women’s outdoor track & field championship meet, which the Battling Bishops will host at Selby Stadium from May 22-24.
This is the second time Ohio Wesleyan has hosted the outdoor championship meet. The first time was 2011, when the Bishops were represented by eight athletes: Sean Patrick ’11, Kat Zimmerly ’11, Emily Amburgey ’13, Ethan Freet ’13, Matt Martin ’13, Silas Jolliff ’13, Cara DeAngelis ’14, and Sarah Bechtel ’14.
Ohio Wesleyan is one of only two schools to host more than one outdoor track & field championship in the last 10 years. The other school to do so is Wisconsin-Oshkosh.
“It’s an honor to be selected by the NCAA to host this national event,” says Kris Boey, director of track & field and cross country and head track & field coach at Ohio Wesleyan. “We are proud to serve as the host of the outdoor track & field championships for the second time in four years. It’s an excellent way to showcase all the outstanding attributes of the Ohio Wesleyan campus and the City of Delaware.”
For men, the top 20 accepted entries in each individual event will be allowed to compete. For women, the top 22 accepted entries will be allowed to compete. For men and women, the top 16 relay teams will be allowed to compete.
Currently, Ohio Wesleyan has four men and five women ranked high enough in their events to qualify for the national championship.
DeAngelis leads the way with a No. 1 ranking among women in Division III in the 5000-meter run.
If she goes on to win the event, DeAngelis would become the second woman in Ohio Wesleyan history to win a national championship in track & field. Julie Bredenbeck was the first to accomplish the feat, winning the discus in 1982.
Other Ohio Wesleyan athletes ranked in the top 20 in their events are:
DeAngelis and Abbey Warth ’16 in the women’s 1500 (third and fourth respectively). Becthel in the women’s pole vault (sixth). Matt Hunter ’15 in the men’s 110-meter high hurdles (sixth) and 100-meter dash (12th). Adam Turner ’16 in the men’s 400-meter dash (eighth). Karli Sturgill ’15 in the women’s javelin (16th). Tyler Jenkins ’16 in the men’s 400-meter intermediate hurdles (18th). Meigan Day ’16 in the women’s javelin (20th). Alex Presley ’17 in the men’s discus (20th).“This event will bring thousands of participants and spectators from across the country to our campus and community,” Boey says. “I am grateful for the support of our University leadership as we prepare to host this exciting event.”
Competition will begin at noon May 22 and May 24 and at 1 p.m. May 23 at OWU’s Selby Stadium and George Gauthier Track. Admission will be $8 per day for adults or $20 for a three-day wristband, and $5 per day for students and senior citizens or $12 for a three-day wristband. Children ages 4 and under will be admitted free.
Learn more about the NCAA championships, including volunteer opportunities and competition times, at BattlingBishops.com.