Boston University has been chosen to win the America East Women’s Indoor Track and Field Championship, according to a vote of the conference’s coaches. The Terriers received six of eight possible first-place votes (coaches were not permitted to vote for their own team) and 62 points overall. The University at Albany also garnered three first-place votes and 56 points to finish second overall. Complete Poll
University of New Hampshire (50 points) trailed behind at third, followed by Binghamton University (39), UMBC (36), University of Maine (33), University of Vermont (22), Stony Brook University (18), and Hartford (8) rounded out the nine-team poll.
The Terriers finished second last season as a team in both the indoor and outdoor conference championships claiming a top-three finish in 10 of the 20 events scored at the indoor meet. Returning for first-year head coach Robyne Johnson are sophomore jumper Tahari James, senior thrower Alaina Ramsey and top runners Christine Laakso, Andrea Walkonen, Victoria Botticelli and Marisa Ryan.
Albany will look for another strong season led by seniors Patty Diedrich and Jillian Sherman. Last season the Great Danes finished third at the conference indoor championship and top returnees from that squad include Alyssa Lotmore and Arina Gerasimova.
New Hampshire returns sophomores Kiah Quarles, Cathy Parker, Rebecca Haley and Amy Roccio. All four women earned points for the Wildcats at the 2005 Indoor Championship. Senior thrower Chia-Ling Wu will lead New Hampshire in both the shot-put and the weight.
Binghamton is coming off a fifth-place finish last year. This season they will expect Dayna Johnson, Katie Wilmer and Jamie Stitt to be top point getters for the Bearcats.
UMBC’s Tyishua Johnson returns as the Retrievers best long jumper after winning last season’s America East indoor title. Also coming back are high jumper Katrina Nathaniel and sprinter Jannelle Wilson, both top contenders this season.
Maine returns top distance runner Hana Pelletier, last season’s runner up in the 800 meter run. For field events, Micralyn Wiechman, Clarissa Michalak and Stephani McCusker will be top performers.
Vermont’s Cassandra Madsen will be the top vaulter and jumper for the Catamount’s this season. Diana Purtz, a middle-distance runner, will also help lead Vermont.
Stony Brook will follow Sarah Herbert and Leonora Joy this winter. Herbert won the 1000 meter run last winter and set the school record, while Joy was the conference’s individual champion at this fall’s cross country title event.
Hartford’s Anike Orimogunje will lead the Hawks in the sprints this season. The 17 freshmen will also look to impact the team.