This week, the outdoor track & field teams are taking part in the Presidents’ Athletic Conference Championships in New Wilmington.

Michelle Cross, head coach of the men’s and women’s track & field teams, is optimistic that the teams can repeat their team scoring and placings from the indoor season.

“The goals for the women’s and men’s team is to repeat what we did in indoor,” said Cross. “For the women, that would be to win the conference and for the men it would be to potentially [finish] as fifth.”

The women, who were polled to finish first this year, will be led by a list of upperclassmen who have found much success this season.

“In the 400-meter, we’re keeping an eye on Cassidy [Guiser] as well as our 4×4 team, I think that team is very talented,” said Cross.

On the distance side of things, Cross is hopeful for more success from seniors Angie Marchetti, Julie Gerber, as well as junior Teghan Simonton.

“We’re hoping for all of them to score,” said Cross. “In the 5k and 10k, as well as other distance areas. Then in steeplechase, we’re hoping for Liz [Trump] and Elly [Loch] to do well.”

Senior Addy Knetzer and sophomore Jordan Simpson, who have booth stood out this season for the Jackets, will be expected to perform well according to Cross.

“[Knetzer] obviously is a [guarantee for points in] throws and we also have [Simspon] who comes up and throws, as well as [sophomore Carli Polczynski] who could score for us as well,” said Cross.

With so much strength in juniors and seniors, the Jackets also have a few freshman stars that will look to contribute to the first-place goal.

“In jumps, we are looking to see Amber [Yauch]—she is a very talented triple and long jumper for us that scored in conference,” said Cross. “We’re definitely excited to see what she will be able to do.”

On the men’s side, Cross expects some of the guys in field events to do well as they have dominated throughout the regular season.

“[Senior Mitch] Kendra has been a top of the conference the entire year with pole vaulting,” said Cross. “[Senior Matt] Shinkle can definitely be a potential scorer for us as well in hurdles. There are some throwers that are in the mix, [junior Blake] Feldner and [sophomore Ryan] VanTine on disc [and Freshman] Roman Lessard on javelin—they could really make a difference and score some points for us.”

Additionally, some of the freshman and sophomores will be looked to contribute during their first pursuit of PAC title.

“[Freshman Nate] Jecelin is sitting in third for the 800 and fifth in the 1,500, so he is one that we have our eyes on as a rising stars of the men’s distance squad,” said Cross. “[Freshman Mac] Colomb and [freshman Matt] Durgin have some potential to score in the 5k and 10k area. Then in jumps, [sophomore] Michael Trax has been battling an injury and is just now starting to comeback from it so I am excited to see what he can do. In sprints, [senior] Mark Minjock has always been a very consistent performer for us in championship type situations.”

With most of the events being set with either experienced upperclassmen or standout freshman, Cross believes the approach is slightly different for the women’s team heading into the championships.

“The women are nervous but prepared, they are used to being in this situation,” said Cross. “It is almost the same exact situation they were in last year.”

The first half of the championship begins on Wednesday – past publication date – with a majority of events taking place the day after on Thursday, April 26, at Westminster.