2009 Season Preview

The 2009 track and field season for the Taylor University women holds much promise. With school record-breakers and NAIA qualifiers Andrea Elsman (pole vault) and Alyssa Johnson (1500) returning, the Lady Trojans are building upon last year's successes.

Though a young squad with only one senior on the roster, the Lady Trojans could make some noise throughout the season with a strong middle distance crew backed up by a young but talented group of sprinters.

The jumps corps will be headed by senior Brianna Nystrom. The fourth year high jumper has scored each of her three previous seasons at the conference championships, and this season may add the long jump. Elsman, a junior, will again compete in the triple jump as well as her specialty, the pole vault where she is a two-time NAIA qualifier.  Freshman Stephanie Kenney, Cassie Vaflor, and Kayce Swofford will be learning the ropes this season in the jumps.

Johnson, a junior, is joined by fellow junior Tabitha Bogue and three freshmen in the middle distance races. Johnson returns to defend her MCC championship in the 1500 meters, while Bogue along with Ashley Henry, Kirstin Hegelein, and Colleen Getz will focus on the 800.

In the distance events, sophomore Janet Redding will compete in the steeplechase as well as the 5000 meters. Freshman Armila Francis will joins Redding in the 5K.

The sprint group holds a tremendous amount of young talent. Freshmen Kenney, Vaflor, Christine Williams, give TU as much depth in the sprints as any time in the past five years. Joining them following basketball season will be transfer Morgan Achterhoff, forming a quartet with only the sky as a limit.

In the hurdles the Lady Trojans will again rely upon freshmen.  Amy Malinowski and Meghan Young bring strong credentials to the collegiate level and may have a hand in relays as well.

Coach Bowers views the upcoming season with eagerness, "Though we will be relying upon several first-year competitors, we have the talent to move back into the upper echelon of the MCC. We have some record-breakers back to lead the way, and they are surrounded by a great group of women. I believe we can make big strides this year at the conference meet."