Injury free, the field unit looks to shine

Superman is renowned for his multitude of talents: he can jump extraordinarily long distances, vault over towering objects, and hurl even the heaviest bad guys with ease.

Although they don't have to dispose of villains, the field unit of the men's track and field team is expected to perform many of these same tasks. In events such as the long jump, triple jump, pole vault, and the discus, hammer, and javelin throw, Jumbo athletes will be tested in many of the skills that make Superman such a force.

Although a lot of attention has been focused on freshman standout Fred Jones, who, as senior tri-captain Adrian Clarke said, "could finish in the top three at nationals" in the triple jump, many other team members are remarkable in their own right.

Junior long jumper Nate Thompson was a consistent top five finisher last year and has been honing his skills indoors all winter, along with Jones. Sophomore pole vaulter Seth LaPierre, according to Clarke, "is going to do some special things this season," while fellow classmate Will Heitmann should also contribute in that event.

In the throwing arena, junior Dan March, sophomores Brandon Udelhofen and

Jason Galvin, freshmen Vincent Galatro and Ryan Byrne, and senior tri-captain Ryan McPherson are all are primed for strong seasons.

Coach Connie Putnam pointed to March and Udelhofen in particular as prime suspects to produce for the Jumbos.

"Brandon has really come to the forefront," Putnam added. "And Dan March will probably continue to be our best hammer."

While all of the aforementioned athletes were at least modest contributors indoors, Putnam mentioned sophomore Lionel Yarmon in the javelin and junior Tyler Groff in the hammer as Jumbos who could become players in the outdoor field scene.

"Outdoors, the throws go further, so it's easier for smaller guys to compete and throw further," Putnam said, in reference to Groff.

As for Clarke himself, the pole vaulter spent most of last season nursing tendonitis, and is finally healthy again.

"I'm really looking forward to just getting out there," he said.

With Jones' sixth-place All-American finish at indoors national this weekend, and a deep field of throwers and jumpers to complement him, the Jumbos are excited about the upcoming season.

"Last year, injuries really held us back," Clarke said. "We were only at about 80 percent health. This season we're closer to 95 percent."