Wittenberg University Athletics - Men's and Women's Track & Field 2004 News Releases

Men's and Women's Track & Field
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2004 News Releases

All Releases Written By: Ryan Maurer
Director of Sports Information
E-Mail: rmaurer@wittenberg.edu

May 14, 2004

Forty-Three Wittenberg Student-Athletes Earn Spring Sport Postseason Awards
SPRINGFIELD, Ohio - Another banner spring sports season has reaped rich rewards for 43 Wittenberg University athletes who were selected to All-North Coast Athletic Conference teams over the last two weeks.Read More..

May 10, 2004

2004 All-NCAC Awards (Outdoor) - pdf file
The Allegheny men won their second straight and fifth overall team title at the NCAC Championships, held at Ohio Wesleyan
on May 7-8. The Gators captured five first and 12 other top-three finishes to total 213 points and outdistance Wittenberg
(150.5), Ohio Wesleyan (116) and Wabash (82) in the men’s field. The Denison women claimed their first NCAC crown with
190 points, breaking Allegheny’s five-year hold on the championship.Read More..

May 5, 2004

Tim Gaal

Geri Woessner

The Wittenberg men's and women's track and field teams are in the midst of the biggest week of the outdoor season, and the momentum gained from the first weekend of competition in the North Coast Athletic Conference Championships could serve the team well as they compete at Ohio Wesleyan on Friday and Saturday.

Senior Tim Gaal (Amanda, Ohio/Clearcreek) extended Wittenberg's dominance in the decathlon to six straight years. Josh Guerreri won three straight decathlon crowns from 1999-2001, and he holds the school record of 6427 en route to qualifying for the NCAA Division III Championships in 2001. Brian Gehle finished second in 2001 and then captured the top spot in 2002. And Gaal has won the last two titles.

Junior Joe Rumschlag (Maumee, Ohio/Toledo Christian) led after the first day and finished a close second to give the Tigers their third one-two finish in the event in the last four years. In addition, sophomore Chad Kresser (Findlay, Ohio/Findlay) placed fifth to give the Tigers a combined total of 23 team points heading into the meet this weekend.

Gaal was named NCAC Field Events Athlete of the Week for his performance at the decathlon and for winning the javelin at the Otterbein Mid-Week Qualifier on Wednesday. Rumschlag earned NCAC Sprinter/Hurdler of the Week for his decathlon finish, in combination with a second-place finish in the 100 meters at Otterbein. He then ran a personal-best 11.03 in the 100 at the decathlon.

In addition, senior Skip Ivery (Columbus, Ohio/Groveport-Madison) finished second in the 110-meter hurdles at the Jesse Owens Classic, hosted by Ohio State on Friday. The meet was filled with NCAA Division I and II competitors.

In the heptathlon, senior Geri Woessner (Dayton, Ohio/Oakwood) extended her dominance in the event, winning with an NCAC and Wittenberg record 4455 points. She has won the event three times in her four years at Wittenberg, her win streak interrupted last year by a second-place finish just a few months after suffering a major knee injury.

Woessner's point total was good for a provisional qualifying standard for the NCAA Division III Championship meet. She has never competing in the national meet.

Woessner was NCAC Field Events Athlete of the Week for her performance in the heptathlon, for taking first place in the javelin at the Otterbein meet and for reaching a provisional mark in the javelin at the heptathlon. In addition, senior Becky Barnes (Williamsport, Ohio/Westfall) finished first in the 1500 meters at the Otterbein Qualifier, which earned her NCAC Distance Events Athlete of the Week.

Next: 5/7-8 NCAC Championships at Ohio Wesleyan

April 30, 2004

Tim Gaal

Geri Woessner

The Wittenberg men's and women's track and field teams got back in action on Wednesday at the Otterbein Mid-Week Qualifier after 11 days off. The team used that break to heal some injuries, work on some techniques heading into next weekend's NCAC Championships at Ohio Wesleyan and host a pair of high school meets.

At the Otterbein meet, senior Tim Gaal (Amanda, Ohio/Clearcreek) scored a victory in his specialty, the javelin, and he was joined in the men's winners circle by sophomore Matt Locke (South Charleston, Ohio/Southeastern) in the 110-meter hurdles and junior Joe Rumschlag (Maumee, Ohio/Toledo Christian) in the long jump. Gaal and senior Skip Ivery (Columbus, Ohio/Groveport-Madison) have both already qualified for the NCAA Division III Championship meet, which is scheduled for May 27-29 at Millikin University.

For the women, senior Becky Barnes (Williamsport, Ohio/Westfall) won the 1500 meters and senior Geri Woessner (Dayton, Ohio/Oakwood) captured top honors in the 400-meter hurdles and javelin in preparation for this weekend's NCAC Multi-Events competition. Woessner is a two-time champion and conference record-holder in the heptathlon, and she is hoping to reclaim the title after finishing second a year ago as she recovered from a major knee injury.

The NCAC Multi-Events serves as a the kick-off to the annual conference outdoor track and field championships. The competition continues May 7-8 at Ohio Wesleyan.

Next: 4/30 at Ohio State
5/1 at Baldwin-Wallace
5/1-2 NCAC Multi-Events at Wooster

April 21, 2004

Kelly Zilli

Skip Ivery

The Wittenberg men's and women's track and field teams have a rare week off as they prepare for the stretch run to the 2004 season and what several individuals hope will be another shot at national championships.

Over the last three weeks, the Tigers have performed well both as a team and as individuals at the Defiance Invitational, the Ohio State Relays and the All-Ohio Invitational at Ohio Wesleyan.

The familiar names continue to pop up in the rundown of results each week, most notably those of seniors Skip Ivery (Columbus, Ohio/Groveport-Madison) and Tim Gaal (Amanda, Ohio/Clearcreek) for the men and Geri Woessner (Dayton, Ohio/Oakwood) and Kelly Zilli (Dayton, Ohio/Kettering Alter) for the women.

Woessner placed second in the Wittenberg Heptathlon/Decathlon on April 3 while posting her best score in nearly two years. The school and conference record-holder in the event, Woessner is within striking distance of the NCAA Division III qualifying standard. Zilli has been a consistent winner in her specialty, the 800 meters, while also running on relays. Her time is within two seconds of NCAA qualification. Neither Woessner or Zilli have previously made the national meet.

Ivery posted the fastest time in NCAA Division III in the 110-meter hurdles at the Ohio State meet, and he continues to cross the finish line first every time he lines up against competition representing Wittenberg's peer institutions. He was first in the event and second in the 400-meter hurdles at the All-Ohio Meet, which earned him NCAC Athlete of the Week. Gaal also was first in his specialty, the javelin, at the All-Ohio Invitational. His throw of 194-5 broke the meet record.

Ivery is shooting for his second straight national title in the 110-meter hurdles and Gaal is hoping to improve upon his second-place finish in 2003. Ivery is a three-time NCAC champion in his event and Gaal is a two-time conference medalist and the school and NCAC record-holder.

Next: 4/28 at Otterbein 4/30 at Ohio State

April 1, 2004

Gregg Carter

The Wittenberg men's and women's track and field teams did extremely well over the weekend competing at the Gerald England Invitational at the University of Indianapolis. The Tiger men finished fifth in the 18-team field, which was filled with top collegiate and club team competition, and the women finished fourth out of 16 teams.

On the women's side, senior Kelly Zilli (Dayton, Ohio/Kettering Alter) was a first-place finisher in the 800 meters. She led a 23-person field in a time of 2:20.14. In addition, Zilli finished second in the pole vault and senior Geri Woessner (Dayton, Ohio/Oakwood) wound up first in the javelin with a throw of more than 108 feet.

For the men, senior Tim Gaal (Amanda, Ohio/Clearcreek) finished first in the javelin with a throw of 176-4 and senior Skip Ivery (Columbus, Ohio/Groveport-Madison) took second place in the 110-meter hurdles in a time of 15.03. He was defeated only by a club team runner who broke the meet record.

Also, freshman Gregg Carter (Wellsville, Ohio/Wellsville), who won the 100 meters in 11:13 at the previous week's Roanoke Invitational, placed third in the same event at the University of Indianapolis. He was also part of the second-place 4x100-meter relay (43.41). Those accomplishments earned Carter NCAC Track and Field Athlete of the Week honors.

Next: 4/2-3 Wittenberg Multi-Event
4/3 at Ohio State Relays

March 23, 2004

Skip Ivery

The Wittenberg men's and women's track and field teams ended the indoor portion of the season with a strong finish at the North Coast Athletic Conference championship meet on March 6. And then senior Skip Ivery (Columbus, Ohio/Groveport-Madison) turned in another All-American finish to the season as he finished fourth in the 55-meter hurdles at the NCAA Division III Championship Meet at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater on March 13.

Ivery came into the national competition with the fastest time during the regular season and he blistered the field in the preliminary heats as well. But a slow start in a short race is a killer, and Ivery didn't get out of the blocks cleanly in the finals, leading to a sub-par time - for him - and a fourth-place finish overall.

It was the second straight year that Ivery earned All-America standing in the event. He was second in 2003.

Last weekend, the teams opened the outdoor portion of the schedule at the Maroon Invitational at Roanoke College in Virginia. The Tiger men placed first in the team competition, while the Tiger women wound up fifth.

Freshman Gregg Carter (Wellsville, Ohio/Wellsville) finished first in the 100 meters. Sophomore Matt Locke (South Charleston, Ohio/Southeastern) led a 1-2-4 Wittenberg finish in the 110-meter hurdles, backed by junior Jason Toman (Greenville, Ohio/Greenville) in second place and sophomore Tom Smith (Hudson, Ohio/Hudson) in fourth. Ivery led a 1-2-4-5 finish in the 110-meter hurdles as Toman was second, Locke fourth and Smith fifth.

On the women's side, senior Kelly Zilli (Dayton, Ohio/Kettering Alter) finished first in her specialty, the 800 meters. She also claimed the top prize in the 1600-meter relay, joined in that event by sophomore Anna Finkelstein (Whitehall, Mich./Reeths-Puffer), freshman Jessica McClish (Shelby, Ohio/Shelby) and freshman Antonette Green (Cleveland, Ohio/Euclid).

The Tigers are back in action Saturday at the University of Indianapolis' Jerry England Invitational.

Next: 3/27 at U. of Indianapolis

March 15, 2004

Wittenberg Track and Field Standout Skip Ivery Named Great Lakes Region Indoor Athlete of the Year SPRINGFIELD, Ohio - Wittenberg University senior Skip Ivery was named NCAA Division III Great Lakes Region Men's Indoor Track and Field Athlete of the Year at a banquet just prior to the national championship meet on March 11 at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. It was the first such honor of Ivery's illustrious collegiate athletic career. Read More..

March 8, 2004

2004 All-NCAC Awards (Indoor) - pdf file
GRANVILLE, Ohio -- Denison won five events and added 11 more top-three finishes to claim the team title at
the 2004 North Coast Athletic Conference Women's Indoor Track & Field Championships, which were held
March 5-6 at Denison's Mitchell Recreation and Athletics Center. The Big Red won their second straight NCAC
title and their sixth overall.Read More..

March 6, 2004

Skip Ivery

The men's and women's indoor track and field teams are heading toward the finish line of the 2004 season. After turning in solid finishes at the Anderson Invitational last weekend, the Tiger teams are back at it Friday and Saturday in the North Coast Athletic Conference Indoor Championships at Denison.

The Tiger men took sixth and the women finished fourth as senior Skip Ivery (Columbus, Ohio/Groveport-Madison) won the 55-meter hurdles, junior Joe Rumschlag (Maumee, Ohio/Toledo Christian) placed second in both the long jump and the triple jump, freshman Jessica McClish (Shelby, Ohio/Shelby) added a pair of runner-up finishes in the high jump and the 400 meters and senior Kelly Zilli (Dayton, Ohio/Kettering Alter) claimed a second place in the 800 meters.

This week is the one the team has been pointing toward, the NCAC Championships, which are hosted by Denison today and tomorrow. Ivery is the top-ranked competitor in the 55-meter hurdles, and he is shooting for his fourth straight title in the event. Rumschlag is the only other Tiger athlete to lead the conference in an event going into the championships as he tops all in the long jump.

Next: 3/5-6 NCAC Relays
at Denison

March 2, 2004

Skip Ivery, Jason Love, Stacy Walker Named to NCAC All-Decade Indoor Track and Field Teams
CLEVELAND -- Four currently active competitors head a list of stellar student-athletes named to the North Coast Athletic
Conference’s 20th Anniversary men’s and women’s indoor track and field teams. Wittenberg senior Skip Ivery (Columbus, OH/Groveport-Madison), a three-time 55-meter hurdles champion entering this season, tops a list of 11 men’s indoor track stars named to the squad in 13 events.Read More..

February 25, 2004

Tim Gaal

The Wittenberg men's and women's track and field teams are heading into the stretch run of the 2004 indoor season. Last week, many of the team's top athletes competed in the Ohio State Scarlet and Gray Relays against NCAA Division I talent.

The best finishes were on the men's side as senior Skip Ivery (Columbus, Ohio/Groveport-Madison) finished third in the 60-meter hurdles and junior Joe Rumschlag (Maumee, Ohio/Toledo Christian) finished third in the triple jump and sixth in the 400 meters. In addition, senior Tim Gaal (Amanda, Ohio/Clearcreek) took fifth in the long jump, freshman Gregg Carter (Wellsville, Ohio/Wellsville) claimed sixth place in the 200 meters and sophomore Matt Locke (South Charleston, Ohio/Southeastern) added a seventh in the 60-meter hurdles.

On the women's side, senior Kelly Zilli (Dayton, Ohio/Kettering Alter) placed sixth in the 800 meters in a time of 2:21.84 and senior Becky Barnes (Williamsport, Ohio/Westfall) finished eighth in the 3,000-meter run and 10th in the one-mile run. In addition, junior Ayisha Kinamore (Cincinnati, Ohio/Colerain) placed 10th in the 60-meter hurdles.

Next: 2/28 at Anderson (Ind.)

February 19, 2004

Joe Rumschlag

The Wittenberg men's and women's track and field teams had a busy weekend, competing in the Capital Indoor Invitational on Friday and the All-Ohio Championships at Ohio Northern on Saturday.

Last week, the Tiger men took seventh place and the Tiger women finished sixth in the Capital Crusader Indoor Invitational on Friday. Sophomore Tracy Butler (Fort Wayne, Ind./Homestead) finished third in the 1000 meters, senior Alex Yurovitsky (Richmond Heights, Ohio/Lyndhurst Brush) took first in the 400 meters, sophomore Bill Childers (Lebanon, Ohio/Lebanon) added a third-place finish in the 800 meters and sophomore Tom Smith (Hudson, Ohio/Hudson) claimed runner-up honors in the 55-meter hurdles.

At Saturday's All-Ohio Championships at Ohio Northern, the Tiger men finished sixth and the women were 14th. Junior Joe Rumschlag (Maumee, Ohio/Toledo Christian) won the long jump with a leap of 21 feet, 7 1/2 inches, and placed fourth in the triple jump with a leap of 40 feet, 11 3/4 inches, marks good enough to earn him NCAC Athlete of the Week honors for Field Events. Senior Skip Ivery (Columbus, Ohio/Groveport-Madison) earned NCAC Athlete of the Week for Sprints/Hurdles after he placed second in the 55-meter hurdles with a time of 7.63. He met the NCAA III Championships provisional qualifying time.

Next: 2/21 at Scarlet and Gray Invitational
at Ohio State

February 12, 2004

Skip Ivery

The Wittenberg University men's and women's track and field teams competed well against a strong field at the DePauw Tiger Indoor Invitational over the weekend, taking 14th place in the 22-team men's field and 13th place in the 16-team women's field.

Highlighting things, as he does pretty much every week, was senior Skip Ivery (Columbus, Ohio/Groveport-Madison). Ivery captured first place in the 55-meter hurdles with a time of 7.73, which was .01 better than the NCAA provisional qualifying time. Sophomore Matt Locke (South Charleston, Ohio/Southeastern) added a fourth-place finish in the 55-meter hurdles in a strong time of 8.01.

Also scoring for the Tigers were the 4x200-meter relay foursome of junior Jason Toman (Greenville, Ohio/Greenville), freshman Gregg Carter (Wellsville, Ohio/Wellsville), junior Joe Rumschlag (Maumee, Ohio/Toledo Christian) and sophomore David Bazzel (Tipp City, Ohio/Tippecanoe), which finished seventh, and the 4x400-meter relay quartet of Locke, Toman, Rumschlag and senior Alex Yurovitsky (Richmond Heights, Ohio/Lyndhurst Brush), which also placed seventh.

On the women's side, two individuals scored top-eight finishes and the 4x400-meter relay also earned team points.

Sophomore Anna Finkelstein (Whitehall, Mich./Reeths-Puffer) placed eighth in the 800 meters. Senior Kelly Zilli (Dayton, Ohio/Kettering Alter) took fourth in the 600 meters. And Zilli and Finkelstein teamed with freshman Jessica McClish (Shelby, Ohio/Shelby) and sophomore Rebecca Stewart (Knoxville, Tenn./The Webb School) to take sixth place.

Next up is a busy weekend with a Friday meet at Capital and a Saturday event at Ohio Northern. The latter is the annual All-Ohio Championships, an event that always attracts most of the top teams in the state.

Next: 2/13 at Capital, 5:30 p.m.
2/14 at Ohio Northern, Noon

February 5, 2004

Matt Locke

The Wittenberg University men's and women's track and field teams put together a strong performance at the annual North Coast Athletic Conference Indoor Relays, hosted by Wabash College last Saturday. The Tiger men finished fourth, while the women came in fifth - but just eight points out of third.

There were several individual highlights worth noting, starting on the men's side where senior Skip Ivery (Columbus, Ohio/Groveport-Madison) posted a winning time of 7.70 in the 55-meter hurdles, good for an NCAA Division III Provisional qualifying standard. He teamed with sophomore Matt Locke (South Charleston, Ohio/Southeastern) added a personal-best time of 7.99, which combined with Ivery's time to win the 55-meter hurdles relay in meet-record time of 15.69. The old record of 15.85 was set by Wittenberg's Dwight Carter and Aaron Manse in 1994.

Ivery and Locke were named NCAC Track and Field Athletes of the Week for their performance.

The Tigers' other men's relay title was earned in the triple jump relay courtesy of junior Joe Rumschlag (Maumee, Ohio/Toledo Christian), who turned in a season-best mark of 41 feet, 4.5 inches, and senior Tim Gaal (Amanda, Ohio/Clearcreek), who had a personal-best mark of 40-10.75 in his first triple jump competition ever.

Rumschlag and Gaal joined forces with sophomore Tom Smith (Hudson, Ohio/Hudson) to place third in the long jump relay. Smith had a personal-best mark of 17-0, Rumschlag had a season-best mark of 21-6.5 and Gaal added a jump of 18-8. Sophomore Adam Stone (Bucyrus, Ohio/Bucyrus) and junior Clyde Mayer (Hilliard, Ohio/Davidson) were second in the shot put relay. And sophomore Jason Toman (Greenville, Ohio/Greenville), junior Chad Kresser (Findlay, Ohio/Findlay), senior Alex Yurovitsky (Richmond Heights, Ohio/Lyndhurst Brush) and Rumschlag teamed up in the 4 x 400 relay to place second.

On the women's side, two performances stood out above the crowd. In particular, the sprint medley relay quartet of junior Tina Valerius (Cincinnati, Ohio/Mt. Notre Dame), freshman Jessica McClish (Shelby, Ohio/Shelby), freshman Antonette Green (Cleveland, Ohio/Euclid) and senior Kelly Zilli (Dayton, Ohio/Kettering Alter) won in a meet and school-record time of 4:22.57.

In recognition of their outstanding performance, Valerius, McClish, Green and Zilli were awarded NCAC Track and Field Athletes of the Week.

Also of note, the 4 x 400 relay foursome of sophomore Anna Finkelstein (Whitehall, Mich./Reeths-Puffer), Zilli, McClish and Green took second place in a time of 4:14.24.

Next: 2/7 at DePauw, 11 a.m.

January 29, 2004

Kelly Zilli

The Wittenberg men's and women's track and field teams competed well against some of the best collegiate competition in the region at the Otterbein Indoor Invitational last weekend. Among the teams represented in the event were NCAA Division II powerhouse Ashland, NAIA powerhouse Rio Grande and NCAA Division I programs Miami, West Virginia and Cincinnati.

On the men's side, top finishers included junior Adam Stone (Bucyrus, Ohio/Bucyrus), who placed seventh in the shot put with a personal-best throw of 45-2.5, senior Skip Ivery (Columbus, Ohio/Groveport-Madison), who finished second in the 55-meter hurdles with a season-best time of 7.76, sophomore Matt Locke (South Charleston, Ohio/Southeastern), who finished sixth in 55-meter hurdles after posting a personal-best 8.02 in the preliminary race, and junior Jason Toman (Greenville, Ohio/Greenville), who took eighth in the 55-meter hurdles in a time of 8.46 and seventh in the 300 meters in a personal-best time of 37.82.

On the women's side, freshman Jessica McClish (Shelby, Ohio/Shelby) had the day's top finish with second place in the high jump with a mark of 4-10. Other notable performances included junior Tina Valerius (Cincinnati, Ohio/Mt. Notre Dame), who finished sixth in the 300 meters in a personal-best time of 46.06, freshman Antonette Green (Cleveland, Ohio/Euclid), who placed fifth in the 300 meters in a personal-best time of 45.88, senior Kelly Zilli (Dayton, Ohio/Kettering Alter), who took fifth in the 1500 meters in a time of 5:02.22 and fourth in the 800 meters in 2:25.86, sophomore Anna Finkelstein (Whitehall, Mich./Reeths-Puffer), who took sixth in the 800 meters in a personal-best time of 2:34.56 and the 4 x 400 meter relay foursome of McClish, Finkelstein, Zilli and Green, which claimed third place in 4:20.07.

Zilli, who placed first in the 800 meters the previous week at Capital's Crusader Invitational, was named NCAC Women's Track and Field Athlete of the Week. Tiger teams are back in action this weekend in the NCAC Relays, hosted by Wabash on Saturday.

Next: 1/31 at NCAC Relays Hosted by Wabash

January 22, 2004

Ayisha Kinamore

The Wittenberg men's and women's indoor track and field teams kicked off the 2004 season last weekend at the inaugural Crusader Invitational at Capital University. The Tiger men finished third in the event, which awarded points to just the top two athletes for each school in each event, while the women wound up fifth.

The meet highlight was provided by junior Ayisha Kinamore (Cincinnati, Ohio/Colerain), who set a school record in the 55-meter hurdles with a time of 0:08.92. The old record of 0:08.95 was set by Beth Meyer in 1987. Freshman Jessica McClish (Shelby, Ohio/Shelby) also turned in a quality performance, finishing in a second-place tie in the high jump with a mark of 4-10. And senior Kelly Zilli (Dayton, Ohio/Kettering Alter) took first place in the 800-meter race, turning in a strong time of 2:25.92.

On the men's side, the new season started with a most familiar of sights, senior Skip Ivery (Columbus, Ohio/Groveport-Madison) taking the tape first in the 55-meter hurdles. Ivery, who finished second in the nation in the event a year ago and then took first in the nation in the 100-meter hurdles at the NCAA Outdoor Championship meet, crossed the finish line in 0:07.84, almost one-half second ahead of teammates Jason Toman (Greenville, Ohio/Greenville) and Matt Locke (South Charleston, Ohio/Southeastern), who finished second and third respectively. In addition, junior Joe Rumschlag (Maumee, Ohio/Toledo Christian) finished second in the long jump and triple jump.

Next: 1/24 at Otterbein

January 9, 2004

Skip Ivery

The Wittenberg men's and women's track and field teams kick off the 2004 indoor season on Jan. 17 at Capital University. The Tigers have a lot of veteran talent returning, led by 2003 All-American Skip Ivery (Columbus, Ohio/Groveport-Madison), who finished second in the 55-meter hurdles a year ago.

Ivery, who has won the NCAC 55-meter hurdles championship each of the last three years, went on to become just the third Wittenberg athlete to win an NCAA Division III track championship, following in the footsteps of Bob Cherry in 1964 and Sheila Simon in 1983. He claimed his title in the 2003 NCAA Division III Outdoor Track and Field Championships last May, winning the 100-meter hurdles.

Among those who hope to join Ivery at the national meet this year are seniors Tim Gaal (Amanda, Ohio/Clearcreek) and Kelly Zilli (Dayton, Ohio/Kettering Alter). Gaal was the NCAC Outdoor Field Events Athlete of the Year and is the school and NCAC record-holder in the javelin. He finished second in the nation in the event at last year's NCAA Division III Outdoor Championships. Zilli holds numerous school records and has been a provisional qualifier in the 800 meters in the past.

Next: 1/17 at Capital