Track and Field Newsletter
March 23, 2010
As the the Seasons Seasons Turn Turn As
The indoor season has come to a close and we look back at the final few weeks of the season. We saw some promising things as the season wound down that will lead to a bright future for the Wolverine men’s track and field team. A big congratulations to Robert Peddlar, Sean Pruitt and the DMR team for collecting All-Big 10 Indoor Did You awards.
Alex Wilson • Invitational
ever long jump champion with a mark of 24-00.75. Peddlar got the winning mark on his fourth of six jumps to win his first-career Big 10 title. The quartet of Sean McNamara, Nick Neuman, Bowden and Blacklaws were a close second to Wisconsin. On day two, Pruitt grabbed another eight points for the team by taking up Know? runner-up honors in the weight throw. His Junior Robert Peddlar’s toss of 66-04.50 was win at the Big 10 Champi- an NCAA provisional onship was the sixth-ever qualifying mark. LJ title for the Wolverines. Sophomore Kirk Reichen- Junior Frank Shotbach’s heptathlon score well took fourth in the of 5,100 points at the Big heptathlon. 10 Championships moves Peddlar grabbed him into third place all-time another two points in school history. for the Maize and Joe Strizich moved to fourth all-time in the hep- Blue by finishing tathlon at the Grand Valley seventh in the triple jump. meet in February. Frank Shotwell recorded The hurdle duo of the second-best hept. Carl Buchanon and mark in school history at Nick McCampbell GVSU (5,476). took fourth and sixth, Sean Pruitt is third all-time in the shot put, throwing respectively in the 60-meter hurdles. 59-08.50 at GVSU.
In our last attempt to have individuals qualify for the NCAA • Championships. Sean Pruitt was the other Wolverine in action, participating at the Virginia Tech • Final Qualifier. In Notre Dame, Brendon Blacklaws took seventh (8:13.46) • in the 3,000 meters, while Dallas Bowden was ninth in the mile • (4:03.72). Craig Forys participated in the 5,000 meters where he finished 23rd. In Virginia, Pruitt took second in the shot put (58-08.75) and fifth in the weight throw (65-09.50).
Big 10 Championships
It wasn’t the finish we had hoped for but a handful of strong finishes highlighted the meet. Robert Peddlar became our sixth-
Silverston Invitational
In our final tune up for the Big 10 Championships, we were able to see some depth in the program where a lot of underclassmen were able to shine at the meet. Freshman John Greenlee won the pole vault, clearing 15-11.00. This was his first collegiate victory, of which
2010 Schedule
January 9 EMU Invitational NTS 16 Ohio State L, 92-70 22 Simmons-Harvey NTS 23 Simmons-Harvey NTS 29 Rod McCravy Memorial NTS 30 Rod McCravy Memorial NTS February 5 Meyo Invitational NTS 6 Meyo Invitational NTS 12 GVSU Big Meet NTS 13 GVSU Big Meet NTS 20 Silverston Invitational NTS 27 Big Ten Indoor -28 Big Ten Indoor 8th March 5 Wilson Invitational NTS 6 Wilson Invitational NTS 12 NCAA Championships — 13 NCAA Championships — 26 Bayou Classic Noon April 2 Tiger Track Classic 5:30 p.m. 3 Tiger Track Classic Noon 10 Ohio State Noon 16 EMU Invitational 5 p.m. 17 EMU Invitational Noon 22 Drake Relays 9 a.m. 23 Drake Relays 9 a.m. 24 Drake Relays 9 a.m. 30 Jesse Owens Invite 6 p.m. May 1 Jesse Owens Invite Noon Stanford Jordan Invite Noon 7 Paddock Invitational 6 p.m. 8 Paddock Invitational 6 p.m. 14 Big Ten Championships TBA 15 Big Ten Championships TBA 16 Big Ten Championships TBA 28 NCAA Regional TBA 29 NCAA Regional TBA June 9 NCAA Championships TBA 10 NCAA Championships TBA 11 NCAA Championships TBA 12 NCAA Championships TBA
2010 Men’s Track & Field Initial Signing Class
Patrick Cochran – McDowell High School Erie, Pa. • Top 20 returning prep triple jumper in the United States (47-10.5) • 2009 Pennsylvania State Track & Field Championships - 5th place triple jump • Also participated in Basketball as a prep. On Cochran: Patrick Cochran has good size and very athletic. Coach Kaiser recruited him primarily as a triple jumper, but we think he can high jump well, also.
Eric Gavin – Marian Catholic High School Chicago Heights, Ill. • No. 8 returning prep high hurdler in the United States (14.08) • 2009 Illinois Class AAA State Track & Field Championships – 1st place 110m High Hurdles On Gavin: Eric Gavin is an explosive high hurdler with a special will to excel. We were impressed that he won the state title in a very competitive environment. Eric Oliver – Homewood Flossmoor High School Hazel Crest, IL • Top 20 returning prep 400m runner in the United States (47.85) • 2009 Illinois Class AAA Track & Field Championships – 2nd place • Also participated in football as a prep On Oliver: Eric Oliver will come in as one of the best preps we have ever recruited in the 400. He is an aggressive runner, has shown outstanding speed in the 100 and 200 as well. Cody Riffle – St. John’s Jesuit High School Toledo, Ohio • No. 5 returning prep discus thrower in the United States (191’ 1”) • No. 6 returning prep shot put thrower in the United States (62’ 10.75) • 2009 Ohio State Division 1 Track and Field Championships – 3rd place shot put • 2009 Ohio State Division 1 Track and Field Championships – 2nd place discus • Also participated in football as a prep On Riffle: Cody Riffle is without a doubt one of the fastest young men in the circle Coach Kaiser has witnessed. Cody is an emotional thrower in competition and we
look forward to the energy he will bring to the field events. Herman Washington – Gahanna Lincoln High School Blacklick, Ohio • Top 20 returning prep high and intermediate hurdler in the United States (14.20, 38.30) • 2009 Ohio State D 1Track & Field Championships – 2nd place 110m High Hurdles • 2009 Ohio State D 1 Track & Field Championships – 4th place 300m Hurdles • 2009 Ohio State D 1 Track & Field Championships – 1st place 4 x 400m Relay team On Washington:Herman Washington is a “smooth operator” with good size for hurdling. He can help us in the highs, intermediates, and 4 x 400 relay.” On the new recruits: We are very encouraged with our initial group of signees. We have a way to go to finalize this class, but seeing the potential these guys will bring, will surely impact the decision in a positive way of those we are still recruiting. We have found all of these signees to be not only outstanding athletes and serious students, but young men of high character. They all have the ability to make a solid impact athletically at the Big Ten level in their first year. We would also line to mention the addition of two football signees who can make a great impact to the spring group, ala current football/track team members Troy Woolfolk and Denard Robinson. DJ Williamson, (Warren Harding, OH) a wide receiver and the 2009 Ohio D1 State 100m champ (PR 10.66) and Demar Dorsey (Lauderdale Lakes Anderson, FL) who has a personal best mark of 10.60 have signed their NLI with football.
we’re sure there are many more to come from the talented freshman. Junior Troy Woolfolk took fourth in the 200 (22.65) and was tied for seventh in the 60 dash (7.05). Sophomore transfer Nick Thomas was edged out in the mile, running 4:18.68 to take second. Other top performers included Denard Robinson finishing fourth in the dash, while McCampbell was second in the hurdles. Peddlar took runner-up honors in the long jump, while Pruitt threw 57-05.50 in the shot.
GVSU Big Meet
Shotwell was a headliner for us at Grand Valley as he won the heptathlon. He totalled 5,476 points in the win, the second-best tally in school history. Joe Strizich was third, totaling 5,051, the fourth-best mark in UM history. McNamara took fifth in the 3K, and Thomas was fourth in the mile. Buchanon and McCampbell scored fifth and sixth, respectively, in the hurdles, while David Ptacek was seventh in the quarter mile. Buchanon, Nick Neuman, Buchanon and Matthew Campbell teamed up to run an NCAA provisional qualifying mark in the quarter-mile relay (3:11.53). In the field events, Peddlar took third in the triple jump and forth in the long. On the first day, Pruitt won the shot put and was third in the weight. His mark of 59-08.50 was an NCAA provisional qualifying mark and put him third alltime in UM history. Greenlee was second in the pole vault.
Meyo Invitational
Pruitt had another outstanding day for us here at Notre Dame. He won the shot put, tossing 58-09.50 in a field of 34 competitors. Sean McNamara led a field of distance athletes, taking third in the mile (4:07.03), while Blacklaws was eighth. In the 3K, Peter Christmas ran 8:10.72 to place eighth, while Fellows ran 8:18.59. In the dash, Robinson took fifth, running 6.84 and Woolfolk ran 7.03 in the prelims. Buchanon led the hurdle crew with a fifth-place finish on his way to running 8.05 seconds. David. St. Amant was fifth in the 500-meter run, with a time of 1:03.76,
A Few Quick Notes...
Bell Lap Banquet: May 8, 2010 marks not only our annual home meet, the Paddock Invitational, but also our annual banquet, which will be held at the Junge Center, adjacent to Crisler Arena, beginning at 6:00pm. We will recognize our current team, season highlights, team awards and also recognize our 2010 Hall of Fame Class. The cost of the banquet is $30 per individual and all parents, alums, and friends of Michigan track are encouraged to attend. Reunion: Plans are getting underway for our annual track reunion. The date will be Saturday, September 18, 2010 and coincide with UM football game vs. Massachusetts. Mark it on your calendar, more info coming. Missing Captains Info: Any alum who can help us with updating our Track & Field captain history, please, do. Most recently, we do not have info as to who were captains from 1990 thru 1997. We are also missing info on captains in 1925, 26, 28, 31. We apologize for not recognizing those who were captains in those years and we sincerely want to get this updated. Hall of Fame: The following Michigan track & field greats will be recognized at our banquet as our class of 2010 Um Track & Field Hall of Famers. William Coe, Harry Hawkins, bob Osgood, Warren Breidenbach, Milt Mead, Bennie McRae, Kim Rowe, Chris Brewster, Trinity Townsend, and Jack Harvey. A complete list along with accomplishments can be found on page five in the newsletter.
Block M “Bell Lap” Booster Club The University of Michigan, as you all are aware, has one of the most legendary and lengthy track and field programs in collegiate history. We intend to preserve and celebrate that history and help our current, and future teams, flourish. The Athletic Department provides a top rate budget for scholarships, travel and equipment, but we need your help in terms of state of the art training and analysis equipment, treadmills, ice therapy tubs and massage therapy, just to name a few. We need to get our top athletes to post collegiate junior and senior level national championships and we want to showcase our history with quality displays, documentaries and recognition ceremonies we can be proud of. You—our alumni, parents, supporters—are a tremendous resource. We need your skills and we need your financial support. Please join the Block M “Bell Lap” Booster Club by filling out and returning the form below with any amount of donation that you may with to contribute. Contact head coach Fred LaPlante at : coachfrd@umich.edu or 734.647-8999 for further information, suggestions and questions. GO BLUE!
Please return this form by mail to: Helen Nelson, 1000 S. State St., Ann Arbor, MI 48109 Name Home Address
Home Phone, Alternate Phone Check your level of donation.
E-Mail Please check those that apply:
$100
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$1000
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$750
Friend of Michigan Track and Field
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Block M “Bell Lap” Booster Club
2010 Hall of Fame Class
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William Coe (1906) Shot Put Member of Two US Olympic Teams (1904, 1908) Olympic Silver Medal Shot Put (1904) Two Time National champion World Record holder Shot Put Penn Relays Champion
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Harry Hawkins (1926) Hammer NCAA Champion Big Ten Champion Two time All American Penn Relays Champion
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Robert Osgood (1937) Hurdles NCAA 400m H Champion World record 120y HH Two time All American Big Ten Champion UM Hall of Honor member Team Captain
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Warren Breidenbach (1941) 400m/800m • Three time All American • Two Time Big Ten Champion • Drake Relays Champion
Osgood
Milt Mead (1954) High Jump • NCAA Champion • Two Time All American • Two Time Big Ten Champion Ben McRae (1963) Hurdles • 4 time Big Ten Champion • UM Hall of Honor Member
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Kim Rowe (1974) Sprints Member of Jamaican Olympic team (1972) All American 10 time Big Ten Champion UM Team Captain
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Chris Brewster (1987) Distance All American 4 time Big Ten Champion Penn Relays Champion UM team captain
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Jack Harvey (1967) Shot put and Coach (1975-99) • All American • Two Time Big Ten Champion • Two time Penn Relays Champion • UM team captain Coached: • Ten Big Ten Championship teams • Five NCAA Top Ten team finishes • 11 NCAA Individual Champions • 93 All Americans • National Coach of the Year (1980)
Trinity Townsend (1996) 400m/800m • NCAA Champion • 4 time All American • Big Ten Champion
Rowe
Townsend
Harvey
University of Michigan Men’s Track & Field 2010 “Bell Lap” Banquet Saturday, May 8th • 6 p.m. Junge Champions Center
Mark your calendars now for the 2010 “Bell Lap” Banquet on Saturday May 8th at 6 p.m.. The Banquet will follow the annual UM Len Paddock Invitational, at historic Ferry Field in Ann Arbor. Collegiate track competition begins at 12:30 p.m. (field events 10 a.m.) and concludes at 3:30 p.m. The program will recognize the high lights and accomplishments of the 2010 team as well as honor the Hall of Fame Inductees. There is a $30 per person charge to attend the celebration banquet. Please make checks payable to the University of Michigan Men’s Track and Field program. Please RSVP by returning the following for through mail or email to Helen Nelson, hjn@umich.edu, or Helen Nelson 1000 S. State Street Ann Arbor, MI 48109 2010 U of M Men’s Track and Field Bell Lap Banquet Junge Champions Center • Saturday, May 8
Please return this form by mail to: Helen Nelson, 1000 S. State St., Ann Arbor, MI 48109 Name
I/we will be attending the 2010 UM Bell Lap Banquet Saturday, May 8 at 6 p.m. Enclosed is a check for $ for # people at $30 a person.
Address
Names of Additional guests:
Make checks payable to U of M Men’s Track and Field
City, State, Zip E-mail Please check those that apply:
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A Final Word From Coach Fred... Dear friends,
We have completed 2010 indoor season, in what turned out to be a rough campaign. Surely, we didn’t have the fire power to contend for a championship, however, eighth place was far below our expectations. We did have some highlights with junior Robert Peddlar winning the long jump, senior Sean Pruitt (second in weight throw), and the DMR consisting of three freshman Dallas Bowden, Brandon Blacklaws, Nick Neuman and senior Sean McNamara combining for an exciting second place in the DMR. What we can say, on a positive note, is that our guys have continued to train hard and seem to be in good spirits with sense of purpose as we head to the outdoor season. We’ve also invested a lot of time in recruiting and we think we’ve attracted the right unique profiles that are a good fit for Michigan. Please, see who are headliners are so far. We’ll be working at this year round, so stay tuned for updates. Please, check out the dates of our schedule, including our banquet. We hope to connect with all of you sometime this year. Go Blue! Fred LaPlante Head Coach
Men’s Track and Field 1000 S. State St. Ann Arbor, MI 48109