As last year’s impressive showings serve as motivation for the upcoming season, the University of Redlands men’s and women’s track & field teams look to first-year Head Coach Mike Schmidt to help the Bulldogs pick up where they left off in 2007.  The teams made great strides in their return to the top of the highly-competitive Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) while also capturing three NCAA Individual Championships.  Two of these competitors return in 2008 and look to help guide Redlands down the challenging path towards a conference title and additional success at the national meet.  With a committed crew of student-athletes, this year’s edition of Redlands track & field strives to gain from each other’s strengths while making the most of every competitive opportunity.

While remaining committed to similar goals of past years, the Bulldog track & field teams now rely on a different perspective to guide them during the 2008 season. Traditionally focused on technique and specificity, Schmidt brings a different dynamic to the Bulldog squad.

“We focus on process and education.” he stated.  “By understanding that if we concentrate on the process, the results will take care of themselves.”

Committed to high expectations for the team, Schmidt looks to three meets to measure their abilities.  First, the Bulldogs must excel at the SCIAC Multi-Duals, which is hosted by Redlands in April.  Only two weeks later, the demands of the SCIAC Championships pose great challenges among a top-heavy conference.  And finally, the Bulldogs strive to qualify as many competitors as possible to the NCAA Championships.  Following last year’s impressive showing of three student-athletes and three national titles, Schmidt works to create more of the same in 2008.

Due to their overall depth, the Redlands women turned out a second-place finish at the SCIAC Championships last season.  After reloading from their loss in personnel, the Bulldogs hold high expectations for additional success during the 2008 campaign.  To achieve this, Schmidt focuses on three areas of strength during his inaugural season.  He looks to the jumpers, distance runners, and middle-distance competitors to carry the team onto the next level.  For Redlands, these events in particular boast excellent talent, depth, and leadership that help the women flourish as a group.

Among the top returnees, senior Natalie Calderon (Pasadena, CA) looks forward to her final season as a decorated and determined student-athlete.  Following her NCAA championship in the Long Jump and fourth-place national finish in the Triple Jump, Schmidt looks to her to set the tone for the team.

“We are very lucky to have Natalie for another season,” he stated.  “She is certainly one of our strongest competitors.”

Beyond the jumping events, this SCIAC Track & Field Athlete of the Year revealed her strengths in the sprinting events as well.  Look for Calderon to continue to impress as Schmidt helps develop her technique for the 100m Dash and 200m Dash, along with the 4x400 Relay.

Adding to the Bulldogs’ strengths, freshman Kortney Watring (Riverside, CA) brings a viable option in the jumping events.  Despite her rookie status, this enthusiastic and vocal leader exudes experience and composure.  Count on her to make an immediate impact as she translates her volleyball background into high-quality success in the Long and Triple jumps.

Freshman Kelsey Bermudez (La Verne, CA) complements this jumping duo with her abilities in the Pole Vault.  In her short career, she already boasts the second-best mark in program history.  Equipped with gymnastics experience, Bermudez works to make significant contributions in this highly-specialized event.  She also strives to add to the team’s depth in the Triple Jump as she develops her overall skill.

Outside of these strong competitors, the Bulldogs boast a hearty crew of distance runners that expect to build off of a strong cross country season.  After landing seventh all-time at Redlands in the 6K, sophomore Stephanie Mera (Redlands, CA) looks to gain from that momentum during the track & field season.  Her natural leadership and overall competitiveness bode well for the Bulldogs.  In addition, count on freshman Katie Ostrinski (Riverside, CA) to continue to impress as she grows from the experience of her First Team All-SCIAC showing in the fall.  Overall, these two harriers easily combine efforts to lead a talented crew of distance runners.

The Redlands women also hold high expectations in the middle-distance events, which include the 400m, 800m, and Mile Run.  Similar to the distance runners, these competitors bring strong cross country experience that quickly develops into success on the track.  Equipped with impressive fall seasons and the desire for continued development, sophomore Onesa Bowman (Pomona, CA) and freshmen Heather Mayer (Boulder, CO) and Pilar Page (Las Vegas, NV) create an impressive crew for the Bulldogs.  In addition, they join the talents of Calderon to make a formidable 4x400m Relay that strives to show well among the conference.

“Although we primarily have sophomores and freshmen, these women offer incredible talent and determination,” commented Schmidt.  “It didn’t even dawn on me that we appeared ‘young’ to everyone else.  I look forward to seeing what we can accomplish.”

For the men, Redlands offers a more diversified strategy which gains from the strengths of individuals.  Count on the Bulldogs to rely on various standout performers while working to develop their overall depth en route to competing for the top spots in the conference.

“The losses on the men’s side are more significant, but our returnees and newcomers possess the talent to make up for it,” Schmidt said.

Similar to the women, the men also benefit from the experience, leadership and talent of a national champion, as graduate student Fritz Nugent (Tinley Park, IL) wraps up his stellar career in 2008.  After earning All-SCIAC honors in six events, he continued to reveal his overall athleticism by winning the decathlon title with the best point-total in Redlands history.  Despite his success, count on this All-American to raise the bar even more as his desire to excel resonates from every opportunity.

“Fritz boasts an amazing foundation, especially in the field events,” Schmidt commented.  “He has been really open to some new sprinting techniques, which will only make him better overall.”

Complementing Nugent’s success in the Javelin, junior Brad Morrow (Williams, CA) and senior John Shelley (Owls Head, ME) bring additional talent to this event.  In the past two years, Morrow has really developed his throwing technique and appears ready to enjoy a break-out season.  Shelley mixes in as a viable option, eager to wrap up his career in fine fashion.

“Traditionally, Javelin has been a strong suit for Redlands,” Schmidt said.  “We certainly have the ability to continue with that success again this year.”

The Bulldogs also return sophomore Rich Valenti (Palm Desert, CA) as a skilled thrower.  Building upon his rookie accomplishments, he works to leave his mark in the Shot Put, Discus, and Hammer Throw.  Last year, he boasted All-SCIAC performances in each event and landed seventh all-time at Redlands in the discus, making the first addition to the list since 1993.  Having truly developed his Discus skills, count on Valenti to make significant strides in this event while producing quality results in the others.

Outside of the field competitors, Redlands welcomes back senior Kevin Vollmer (Van Nuys, CA) as an experienced and accomplished 400m runner.  Last season, he posted the second-fastest time in the conference and offers the determination and ability to improve upon that in the upcoming season.  Count on him to make the most of his final campaign, serving as a team leader and competitor in all of the sprints.

Joining Vollmer in the sprints, senior Chris Bogues (Boston, MA) returns for only his second season on the track & field team.  Due to his incredible potential that is just waiting to be unleashed, the Bulldogs hold high hopes for Bogues’ contributions in the sprints.

In addition, the team looks forward to the offerings of sophomore Jake Baechle (Aurora, OH) as a middle-distance runner.  Following a solid season with the cross country team, he looks to translate that training into positive gains on the track.  Outside of the 400m and 800m, count on him to combine efforts with Nugent, Vollmer and Bogues as a potentially lethal 4x400m Relay.

Rounding out the top returnees, senior Chris Smith (Fremont, CA) provides great ability and leadership to the distance events.  Following two years at the NCAA Cross Country Championships, he strives to put that experience to good use during his final track campaign with the Bulldogs.  This All-SCIAC performer possesses the necessary tools to accomplish great success while leading by example with his hard-working nature.

“Chris’ year-round training will certainly pay off,” commented Schmidt in regards to Smith being a dual-sport athlete.

Beyond these veterans, the Bulldog men look forward to benefitting from the skills of freshman Ross Blanchard (Novato, CA).  This strong, fast and tall individual makes for a talented hurdler.  He also brings a great competitive spirit, which bodes well for his personal achievements while pushing his teammates on to the next level.

In addition to the squad’s abilities, Redlands counts on each of its coaches to provide invaluable contributions throughout the season.  After leading the charge of the cross country program, Aaron Olswanger brings his energetic style to the track & field teams by working with the distance and middle-distance runners.  Jeff Stanners returns for his 10th season with the Bulldogs, offering Schmidt immeasurable help in the Javelin, as well as with the history and tradition of the Bulldog program.  Equipped with great competitive experience, Alex Silers provides incredible knowledge in the Hammer Throw which benefits the student-athletes as well as Schmidt, who works to expand his repertoire.  Furthermore, Christina Taylor looks to wrap up her graduate assistantship as a resource for the sprinters and jumpers.  Finally, Redlands welcomes the insight and enthusiasm of D.J. Tano.  Following his standout career as a Bulldog thrower, he has quickly developed into an instrumental part of the coaching staff.

Overall, the Bulldogs’ appearance may differ with new personnel in the coaching ranks as well as numerous first-year competitors.  However, the expectations for the teams’ finishes and each individual’s accomplishments remain the same.  Under the guidance of Schmidt, Redlands looks to three important areas of strength on the women’s team while focusing on the individual success of the men to combine together for an exciting and successful 2008 season.