While the Jumbo runners have been gearing up for the tough New England competition ahead, Tufts' field event specialists have also been hard at work.
This season, Tufts will return nearly all of its key field event specialists and add several new freshmen to the mix.
The jumping squad will likely be much improved with first-years such as Kanku Kabongo, Sarah Nolet and Laura Dinn joining the veteran crew of senior co-captain Kaleigh Fitzpatrick, seniors Joyce Uang and Jenna Weir, juniors Kathleen Rutecki and Jenn Johnson, and sophomore Logan Crane.
"I think we're going to be much stronger in the jumps, and the throws should be just as good, if not better," Morwick said.
Senior Sarah Martin, junior Paula Dormon and sophomores Katherine Morley and Julia Feltus all saw success in throws last year, and the freshmen, particularly Nolet, should bolster the squad.
"Sarah Nolet is a really good [multi-event specialist] coming off the soccer season," Morwick said. "She's done well in throws, hurdles and jumps, and she should be quite good."
Tufts will also bring in some freshman pole vaulters, three of whom have gone 10 feet in Allison Fechter, Dana Harada and Kelly Engelking. Engelking is also likely to compete in several events.
Another key for the Jumbos will be sophomore Kerry Virgien, who competed in the pentathlon last season along with former tri-captain Maggie Clary.
The team will also benefit from the addition of assistant coach Toni-Marie Henry, who joins former Wheaton College thrower Lisa Wallin and Cornell graduate Molly Dickens, who specializes in pole vault. Henry garnered All-American honors in both sprints and jumps at UMass Lowell.
"She's a 42-foot triple jumper and a really good sprinter," Morwick said. "She's already made a huge impact on that group."
-by Carly Helfand
