Geri Woessner

Brian Gehle

May 10, 2001 - Wittenberg's men's and women's track & field teams both did well in the North Coast Athletic Conference Outdoor Track & Field Championships May 4-5 at Ohio Wesleyan. The men finished second with 124.5 points, 35 points behind the champion and host Battling Bishops. The women's team, second after Day 1 thanks to several fine performances in the field events, was fifth with 90 points.

For the record, Woessner was named the Women's Soccer NCAC Newcomer of the Year after tying a school record with 18 goals in a season, lettered as a post player for the 18-8 women's basketball team in the winter (earning Tournament MVP honors at the Greensboro Tip-Off Classic along the way) - and we're guessing she will probably cure the financial crisis in Ohio's schools as a summer breather. That is, if she's not too busy competing in the NCAA Division III Outdoor Track & Field Championships May 24-26. She will compete in at least one more heptathlon in the next two weeks in an effort to solidify her position in the national rankings.

While Woessner was scoring big points for the women's team, the men's team used balance to score its strong finish. Two athletes who didn't win an individual event or advance to the NCAA meet deserve special recognition: junior Brian Gehle (Huntsville, Ohio/Indian Lake), who was second in the decathlon in his first try at the event, second in the high jump with a personal-best 6 feet, 6 inches and ran a terrific third leg of the 4x400 meter relay that allowed freshman Demetrius Ellison (Cleveland, Ohio/Trinity) the opportunity to blow past the competition on the last leg for the win. Ellison also finished second in the 400 by .01.

Five Tiger athletes qualified provisionally for the NCAA Division III championships with their performances in the conference meet. Freshman Tim Gaal (Amanda, Ohio/Clearcreek) was first with his third school record in four weeks in the javelin at 193 feet, eight inches, while classmate Mike Klotz (Cincinnati, Ohio/Colerain) was second at 191-10.

For the women, sophomore Abi Gerstle (Kettering, Ohio/Fairmont) was second in the 1500 meter run at 4:42.63, while freshman Andi Warner (Oregon, Ohio/Clay) was second in the javelin at 129-11. Both will continue to go for the automatic qualifying figures in the next two weeks, where they will be joined by junior Sarah Weide (Ft. Wayne, Ind./Homestead), who is just .08 away from a provisional qualifying time in the 800 meters.

They will all be trying to join senior Josh Guerreri (Avon, Ohio/Avon), who was an automatic qualifier in the decathlon a week earlier. He set the school and NCAC record in the event in the process of advancing to the next round.

Next: @ Baldwin-Wallace Twilight Invitational (May 18
NCAA Division III Championship Meet (May 24-26)

Senior Josh Guerrieri (Avon, Ohio/Avon) won the men's decathlon with a total of 6,420 points. He broke his own school and conference records in the event and met the NCAA Division III automatic national qualifying standard. He was also named NCAC men's runner of the week.

Junior Brian Gehle (Huntsville, Ohio/Indian Lake) was second with 5,611 points and senior Charlie Finfrock (New Carlisle Ohio/Tecumseh) was ninth with 4,316 points.

Freshman Geri Woessner (Dayton, Ohio/Oakwood) won the women's heptathlon with a total of 4,145 points. Like Guerrieri, she set a school record for points in the event, and she met the NCAA Division III provisional qualifying standard. And also like Guerreri, Woessner claimed NCAC Runnerof the Week honors.

A pair of Tiger runners had strong performances in the University of Cincinnati Bearcat Classic. Sophomore Abi Gerstle (Kettering, Ohio/Fairmont) finished third in the 1,500-meter run in 4:07.9. She broke the Wittenberg record and is an NCAA Division III provisional qualifier. Junior Sarah Weide (Fort Wayne, Ind./Homestead) finished fourth in the 800 meters at 2:16.78.

And finally, at the Wittenberg Open Invitationial on Friday, a non-scoring meet, Tiger freshman Tim Gaal (Amanda, Ohio/Clearcreek) set a new school record by topping all competitors in the javelin with a throw of 186 feet, 6 inches.

April 24, 2001 - Wittenberg competed in All-Ohio Track and Field Invitational at Ohio Wesleyan on Saturday. The men's team finished seventh out of 17 teams, while the women were 10th out of 16 teams.

Tigers' sophomore Abi Gerstle (Kettering, Ohio/Fairmont) won the 3,000 meter steeplechase in a school-, stadium- and meet-record time of 11:43.91, a performance that earned her NCAC Runner of the Week honors (see box below). Junior Sarah Weide (Fort Wayne, Ind./Homestead) finished third in the 800-meter run (2:18.19), while freshman Andi Warner (Oregon, Ohio/Clay) took a third in the javelin at 114 feet, three inches.

The men's team had three second-place finishes. Sophomore Nick DeWald (Mansfield, Ohio/Senior) ran a 33:57.7 in the 10,000-meter run and freshman Tim Gaal (Amanda, Ohio/Clearcreek) had a throw of 179 feet, five inches for a top-five finish in the javelin. In the hammer throw, an exhibition event at the meet, sophomore Joel Drake (Springfield, Ohio/Shawnee) had a school record throw of 148-8.

This weekend, the Tigers are at home one last time for the Wittenberg Open Invitational on Friday and the NCAC Decathlon-Heptathlon over the weekend. Most of the competitors in the meets will be individual athletes attempting to post qualifying times for the upcoming NCAA championship meets.

April 18, 2001 - 
Wittenberg hosted seven-team men's and women's meets at Edwards-Maurer Field last Thursday. The Tiger women won their meet with 190 points, Findlay was second with 158 points. Wilmington won the men's meet with 206.5 points while Wittenberg was second with 141.5.

The Tiger women's team had six first place finishes, including four in field events. Senior Amy Sonnanstine (Plymouth, Mich./Canton) and sophomore LaRissa O'Neal (Indianapolis, Ind./Broad Ripple) tied for first place in the pole vault with a jump of eight feet eight 3/4 inches.

Senior Julia Kregenow (Lancaster, Wisc./Lancaster) won the discus at 117-1. A pair of freshmen had the other two field event wins, Geri Woessner (Dayton, Ohio/Oakwood) won the shot put (34-8) and Andi Warner (Oregon, Ohio/Clay) took first in the javelin (122-5).

Sophomore Abi Gerstle (Kettering, Ohio/Fairmont) won the 1,600 meter run (4:51.81) and the Tigers 1,600 relay team won in a time of 4:07.93.

For the Wittenberg men, sophomore Joel Drake (Springfield, Ohio/Shawnee) won the discus (138-8) and freshman Mike Klotz (Cincinnati, Ohio/Colerain) took the javelin (164-4). The 1,600 relay team won in a time of 3:25.57.

April 12, 2001 --
Wittenberg University's men's track and field team won the Mountain Laurel Invitational hosted by University of the South in Sewanee, Tenn. over the weekend. The Tigers won just one event, but had four second-place finishes and four third-place finishes to score 97 points for the win.

The Tigers lone winner was freshman Mike Klotz (Cincinnati, Ohio/Colerain), who recorded a throw of 162 feet, four inches in the javelin. Wittenberg's four second-place finishes included freshman Tim Gaal (Amanda, Ohio/Amanda-Clearcreek) in the javelin (152-10), sophomore Joel Drake (Springfield, Ohio/Shawnee) in the discus (132-10), junior Brian Gehle (Huntsville, Ohio/Indian Lake) in the pole vault (12-6) and the 1600 relay (4:10.23).

The third-place finishers included junior Tony Pellettierre (Gurnee, Ill./Warren Township) in the 1,500 meter run (4:09.05), senior Josh Guerrieri (Avon, Ohio/Avon) in the 110 meter high hurdles (15.69).
Wittenberg's 400 (43.20) and 3,200 relay (8:23.30) teams also finished third.

The Tiger women's team finished fourth with 59 points. Freshman Andi Warner (Oregon, Ohio/Clay) won the javelin with a throw of 117 feet, six inches and was named the NCAC Field Events Performer of the Week. Wittenberg also claimed a first in the 1600 relay (4:10.23).

The Tigers took seconds in the 400 (52.13) and 800 (1:51.60) relays. Freshman Kristen Mumper (Cincinnati, Ohio/Purcell Marian) was also second in the long jump at 16-5 3/4 inches.

Wittenberg will host a quad meet on Thursday include both men's and women's teams from Findlay and Wilmington along with the men's team from Hillsdale (Mich.) and the women's team from Midway (Ill.).

April 3, 2001 --
Wittenberg hosted its own invitational on March 30. No team scores were kept, but both the men's and women's teams received a number of impressive performances. 

The men's team had a pair of double winners. Junior Tony Pellettiere (Gurnee, Ill./Warren Township) won both the 800 meters (2:01.32) and 1,500 meters (4:22.05). Another junior Chris Silliman (Columbus, Ohio/Upper Arlington) won both the discus (132 feet, nine inches) and hammer (140-8) throws, re-setting his own school record in the latter for the second time in two weeks. 

The Tigers also got wins from junior Dave Hyde (Naperville, Ill./Central) in the 10,000 meters in 34:38 and sophomore Nate Henderson (Dayton, Ohio/Carroll) in the 110 meter high hurdles at 15.48. 

Wittenberg also posted two more wins in field events. Junior Brian Gehle (Lakeview, Ohio/Indian Lake) won the high jump at 5-10 while freshman Tim Gaal (Amanda, Ohio/Clearcreek) took first place in the javelin at 166-2. 
The Wittenberg women's team posted 11 first place finishes in the meet. The Tigers' only dual winner was senior Julia Kregenow (Lancaster, Wis./Lancaster) in the shot put (31-10) and discus (113-7). 

A pair of freshmen picked up wins in sprints. Liz Magsig (Greenwich, Conn./Cushing Academy) won the 200 in 23.05, while Geri Woessner (Dayton, Ohio/Oakwood) won the 400 at 1:02.8. The Tigers' wins in middle distance came from junior Sarah Weide (Fort Wayne, Ind./Homestead) in the 800 at 2:24.99 and sophomore Abi Gerstle (Kettering, Ohio/Fairmont) in the 1,500 at 4:52.91. 

Freshman Becky Barnes (Williamsport, Ohio/Williamsport) won the 5,000 in a time of 20:33.6. 

Besides Kregenow, Wittenberg posted four other wins in field events. Sophomore Erin Zayicek (Solon, Ohio/Solon) won the hammer throw with a toss of 105-2.5. 

The rest of the Tigers' wins came from freshmen. Jackie Spray (Newark, Ohio/Newark) won the pole vault at 8-11.5. Kristin Mumper (Cincinnati, Ohio/Purcell Marian) took the long jump at 15-9.5. Andi Warner (Oregon, Ohio/Clay) won the javelin at 111-8. 

The biggest highlight for the men's team was provided by junior Chris Silliman (Columbus, Ohio/Upper Arlington), who posted a school record in the hammer of 133 feet, six inches. The team's highest finish in the meet was a first place by freshman Michael Klotz (Cincinnati, Ohio/Colerain), who won the javelin throw in his first meet with the team. He posted a mark of 156-5, just less than six feet better than another Wittenberg newcomer, freshman Tim Gaal (Amanda, Ohio/Clearcreek), who was second.

The women's team got a first-place finish from its steadiest performer, sophomore Abi Gerstle (Kettering, Ohio/Fairmont). She won the 1500 meters in a time of 5:00.8. 
Wittenberg hosts the first of four spring events this Friday when the Wittenberg Invitational takes place on March 30. Coming up: the Wittenberg Quad April 12, the Wittenberg Open April 27 and the NCAC Heptathlon/Decathlon April 28-29. 

 The Wittenberg University Men's and Women's Track & Field teams didn't win any championships during the 2001 indoor season, but the lack of hardware isn't an accurate indicator of how successful the Tigers' season was. The women set seven school records and three athletes made the All-North Coast Athletic Conference team, while the men posted four school records and five athletes made the All-NCAC. 

The strength of the Tiger women's squad was in the middle distance and distance running events, where a pack of young athletes set and re-set several records during the indoor campaign. Leading the charge was sophomore Abi Gerstle (Kettering, Ohio/Fairmont) , who built on her NCAA Division III Cross Country Championships appearance last fall by winning the 1500-meter run at the NCAC Indoor Track & Field Championships. Gerstle crossed the finish line in 4:46.45, more than three seconds ahead of the nearest competitor, to claim the team's only individual crown. 

Junior Sarah Weide (Ft. Wayne, Ind./Homestead) also earned a pair of All-NCAC honors with her third-place finish in the 1500, in which she crossed the line in 4:52.20, and a second place in the 800, in which she broke her own school record with a time of 2:19.97. In addition, freshman Kelly Zilli (Dayton, Ohio/Archbishop Alter) was all-conference with a third-place finish in the 800 in a time of 2:22.29. 

In terms of school records, Zilli set the mark in the 500 (1:21.37) at the Ohio Northern Invitational, and she was one of three pole vaulters - the others being senior Amy Sonnanstine (Plymouth, Mich./Canton) and sophomore LaRissa O'Neal (Indianapolis, Ind./Broad Ripple) - to establish a new standard of 9-1/4. Weide set a record in the 600 with a time of 1:39.79 at the DePauw Invitational, and she joined with Zilli to set two relay records - the 1600 relay and the distance medley relay. In each race, Weide and Zilli were joined by Gerstle and freshman Kristen Mumper (Cincinnati, Ohio/Purcell Marian).

Finally, sophomore Erin Zayicek (Solon, Ohio/Solon) posted a mark of 34-feet, 9-inches in the 20-pound weight throw to establish a new standard. 

"The women really had a great indoor season," said Head Coach Steve Shutt, who is in his second season at Wittenberg. "I'm really encouraged by the way they performed." 

On the men's side, freshman Skip Ivery (Columbus, Ohio/Groveport-Madison) was an individual winner in the NCAC Championships as he claimed the 55-meter hurdles title in a time of 7.98. Joining him as All-NCAC were the four members of the 1600 relay - freshman Demetrius Ellison (Cleveland, Ohio/Garfield Heights Trinity) , freshman Matt Frost (South Vienna, Ohio/Southeastern) , freshman Alex Yurovitsky (Richmond Heights, Ohio/Richmond Heights) and sophomore Mark Trempe (Springfield, Ohio/Greenon) - who finished second at the conference meet in a time of 3:30.43. 

In terms of records, Ellison set a school record in the 200-meter dash, posting a time of 23.16 in the preliminaries at the NCAC Championships. Junior Tony Pelletiere (Gurnee, Ill./Warren Township) blistered the track in the 800 in a time of 1:59.20 at the Butler Invitational. Sophomore Joel Drake (Springfield, Ohio/Shawnee) established a new standard in the 35-pound weight with a mark of 44-8. And senior Josh Guerreri (Avon, Ohio/Avon) , who performed an NCAA Division III provisional standard last year in the decathlon, put up a school record point total of 3309 in the pentathlon. 

Heading into the spring outdoor season, Shutt says he is pleased with the progress his athletes have made already this year. "Most of our athletes put up their best numbers at the end of the season, which is what you strive to do," Shutt said. 

The outdoor season could be even better as the team's gain the services of several athletes who competed on other winter and fall teams. They will frequently be competing on the Tigers' home track as Wittenberg hosts its own invitational March 30, the Wittenberg Quad April 12, the Wittenberg Open April 27 and the NCAC Heptathlon/Decathlon April 28-29. 

March 12, 2001--

 The Wittenberg men's and women's track and field teams finished their winter season at the North Coast Athletic Conference Indoor Championships at Denison University on March 2-3. The Tiger men's team finished sixth with 42 points and the women were fourth with 73 points. For the men's team freshman Harold "Skip" Ivery (Columbus, Ohio/Groveport Madison) won the 55-meter hurdles in a time of 7.98 seconds. Another freshman Demetrius Ellison (Cleveland, Ohio/Trinity) set a school record in the preliminaries of the 200-meter dash with a time of 23.16. 

For the women, sophomore Abi Gerstle (Kettering, Ohio/Fairmont) won the 1,500 meters in a time of 4:46.45. The Tigers also set two school records in which junior Sarah Weide (Fort Wayne, Ind./Homestead) had a hand. Weide broke the school record with a 2:19.78 in prelims of the 800. She also was part of the 1,600 relay team which ran a Wittenberg record 4:10.64. Weide was joined on the relay by freshman Kristen Mumper (Cincinnati, Ohio/Purcell Marian), Gerstle and freshman Kelly Zilli (Dayton, Ohio/Kettering Alter). 

Now it's on to the outdoor portion of the 2001 schedule, which promises to be busy and potentially very positive for the Tigers. The Wittenberg Decathlon leads things off, the first of four outdoor meets hosted by the school in the spring. Others include the Wittenberg Invitational on March 30, the Wittenberg Track Meet on April 12 and the Wittenberg Open Invitational/Multi April 27-28. 

March 5, 2001--

 After spending several weeks competing against runners from Division I and II schools, as well as open division athletes, Wittenberg's men's and women's track teams both placed third in the DePauw-SCAC indoor invitational in Greencastle, Ind. on Feb. 24.

The women's team set three school records in the meet. Junior Sarah Weide (Fort Wayne, Ind./Homestead) won the 600 meter run in a time of 1:39.79. Sophomore Erin Zayicek (Solon, Ohio/Solon) was fourth in the weight throw with a toss of 34-feet, nine inches.

The Tigers distance medley team broke the school record in that event for the second time this season, winning the event in a time of 12:22.27. The relay at DePauw consisted of Weide, freshman Kristen Mumper (Cincinnati, Ohio/Purcell Marian), freshman Kelly Zilli (Dayton, Ohio/Kettering Alter) and sophomore Abi Gerstle (Kettering, Ohio/Fairmont).
Zilli also posted wins in the 400 meter dash (1:01.28) and pole vault (8-0). Sarah Weide was named NCAC Athlete of the week for her 600m and DMR performances.

The men's meet was highlighted by a 1-2 finish in the 55-meter hurdles by senior Josh Guerrieri (Avon, Ohio/Avon) in 7.90 and freshman Skip Ivery (Columbus, Ohio/Groveport Madison) in 7.94. Wittenberg also finished second in the 800-meter relay (1:35.38). Guerrieri's races also earned him NCAC Track Athlete of the Week Honors. 

February 19, 2001--

 Wittenberg competed in the Scarlet and Grey Invitational at the Ohio State University on Saturday. While the winners were mostly at-large or Division I participants, the Tigers still posted some impressive finishes. 

For the women, sophomore Abi Gerstle (Kettering, Ohio/Fairmont) was fourth in the mile (5:17.14) and sixth in the 800 (2:23.01). Freshman Kelly Zilli (Dayton, Ohio/Kettering Alter) was sixth in the mile (5:24.74) and eighth in the 800 (2:24.18). 

Zilli and senior Amy Sonnanstine (Plymouth, Michigan/Canton) finished eighth and 10th respectively in the pole vault, but in the process tied the school record at 9-0 1/4. 

For the men, senior Joel Drake (Springfield, Ohio/Shawnee) was 11th in the 35-pound weight throw, but set a Wittenberg record with a throw of 44-feet, eight inches. 

February 12, 2001--

 Wittenberg set a pair of school records in the University of Findlay Indoor Open on Feb. 9. For the men, senior Josh Guerrieri (Avon, Ohio) broke his own record with 3,309 points while finishing third in the pentathlon. On the women's side, senior Amy Sonnanstine (Plymouth, Mich./Canton) won the pole vault with a Tiger record 9-0 1/4. 

The men's 1600 meter relay team (3:38.98) finished fifth, Guerrieri was eighth (21-0 1/2) in the long jump, while junior Luke Clarkson (Bascom, Ohio/Hopewell Louden) was eighth (4:38.87) and junior Dave Hyde (Naperville, Ill./Central) was 10th (4:41.30) in the mile. 

Besides Sonnanstine's win, the women recorded three third place finishes. Sophomore Abi Gerstle (Kettering, Ohio/Fairmont) ran a 5:25.85 in the mile, sophomore LaRissa O'Neal (Indianapolis, Ind./Broad Ripple) went 8-6 1/4 in the pole vault and freshman Mary Blonder (Lake Forest, Ill./Lake Forest) ran a 1:50.48 in the 600 meter run. 

Both men's and women's teams will compete on Saturday in the Scarlet and Grey Invitational at Ohio State.

February 5, 2001--
 
 

The Wittenberg track teams competed in both an open meet on Friday, Feb. 2 and the Midwest Elite Meet on Saturday, Feb. 3 at Ohio Northern and posted some very impressive results. 

Two performers for the Tiger women's team stood out in particular. Sophomore Abi Gerstle (Kettering, Ohio/Fairmont) won both the 1000 (311.26) and 1500 (504.13) meter runs. She won the 1000 by more than four seconds and was named the NCAC Women's Indoor Track Athlete of the Week. 

Freshman Kelly Zilli (Dayton, Ohio/Kettering Alter), who teamed up with Gerstle and two other distance runners to claim the distance medley relay in school record time a week ago at the NCAC Relays at Denison on Jan. 27, won the 500 in a school record time of 121.37. She is believed to be the first Tiger women's runner to establish two school records in her first three meets as a collegiate competitor. 

Next at University of Findlay (Feb. 9) 

All-Ohio Championships at Findlay (Feb. 10) 

January 29, 2001--
 
 

The Tigers indoor teams got off to a great start Jan. 27 in the NCAC relays at Denison. The men finished fourth out of 10 teams and the women were third out of nine. 

The men's best finishes were a pair of second places. The 55-meter hurdle relay ran a time of 16.30 and the 1600 relay ran a 331.98. 

On the women's side, the distance medley relay not only posted a win, but also set a meet record and school record (12:47.47) in the process. The relay consisted of junior Sarah Weide (Fort Wayne, Ind./Homestead) , freshman Mary Blonder (Lake Forest, Ill./Lake Forest) , freshman Kelly Zilli (Dayton, Ohio/Kettering Alter) and sophomore Abi Gerstle (Kettering, Ohio/Fairmont). 

The Tigers travel to Ohio Northern for a dual meet on Friday, and participates in the ONU elite meet on Saturday.