Falcons' Track Teams Compete on the National Level

As the weather gets nicer and the remaining days left of school begin to count down, the Messiah Falcons' men's and women's track teams are nearing the end of their season. It's been a long year with lots of practices for the Falcons. There are just six meets in the 2009 spring track season, plus the MAC Championships, so every meet really counts for this group of young men and women. For those athletes fortunate enough to qualify for the nationals, it will represent the eighth and final meet of the season for the Falcon athletes.The team's practices are every day during the week, normally lasting anywhere from two to three hours each evening. These intense training sessions have helped to get the Falcons in shape for a competitive season. Although there are many different events, including running, jumping, and throwing, all the athletes are coached by the same man: Coach Dale Fogelsanger. This spring team consists of almost the same athletes as were on the team in the winter.

For the young men, there are many talented athletes that represent Messiah. The school's top long distance runner is Francis Eanes, while the best mid and short distance runner is Patrick Roach. Roach currently holds not only the school record, but the NCAA Division III season-best for his time in the 800 meter (1:49.26). The team's top pole vaulter is Matt Cross, the best throwers are Matt Wicks and A.J. Smith, and the best hurdler honor goes to Cody Rosenbarker. Jason Brown is the best athlete for the Falcons in the decathlon.

For the young women, the best long distance runner is Jenny Kooser, while the best mid distance runner is Lauren Harte, and the leading short distance runner is Kristen Bates. Bates is also the team's top hurdler and will be representing the school at nationals in the heptathlon, where she is currently ranked fourth in the nation for Division III athletes. Emily Strait and Alyssa Lengel are the top throwers, while Delilah Ruiz is the top jumper for the Falcons.

Sophomore thrower Jared High says, "Track is just a great opportunity for me to clear my mind of anything and everything. It gives me a chance to just compete and give the team my best every time I'm out on the field. I think our coach has done a great job preparing us for our meets and I am really going to miss this when it is over." First-year student Erin Horst says, "I really like the time I have to myself when I run. It gives me a good chance to thank God for all he has done for me. And every time I step out there on the track, I remember that I'm running for his glory and not my own."

This past weekend, April 23-25, a few select Falcons competed in the prestigious 115th running of the Penn Relays, held at the University of Pennsylvania stadium in Philadelphia. On Thursday night, senior Francis Eanes set a new school record in the 5,000 meter run with a time of 14:48.98--shattering the six year old record held by Edward Doreau by almost 12 seconds. Eanes finished in 25th place out of 47 athletes in the Olympic Development race.

Junior Kristen Bates also set a new school record in the East Coast women's college triple jump. Her leap of 39 feet and 1/4 inches bettered her own school record by 3 and 1/2 inches. Bates finished third overall, earning her first medal at Penn Relays. Bates also earned a spot in the finals in the 100 meter hurdles, ending with a time of 14.43 seconds, just off of her Division III best.

The men's 4x400 meter relay of sophomore Jesse Weidemann, junior Eddy Palmer, junior Peter Shenk and senior Patrick Roach took third in their College Men's Pop Haddleton MAC heat, clocking in with an incredible time of 3:24.55. The women's 4x400 meter relay, consisting of sophomore Grace Kaste, freshman Lauren Harte, freshman Brooke Airey and sophomore Megan Sisson took 10th in the College Women's Centennial/MAC heat with a time of 4:14.71.

On Saturday afternoon, the men's Falcon 4x800 meter relay team took 5th in their heat with a time of 7:40.08. Roach led off, followed by Palmer, who gave the baton to Weidemann. Freshman Tyler Newhook anchored the team with a strong performance.