Women's Track and Field
Current Season Preview

2009-10

KUTZTOWN, PA. (December 9, 2009) – With All-Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) performer Ashley Pinter (Bethlehem/Liberty) and a strong pack of middle distance runners highlighted by NCAA provisional qualifiers Kristin Cupido (Bridgewater, NJ/Bridgewater-Rairtan), and Keri Brown (Southampton, NJ/Seneca), leading the way, the Kutztown University women’s track and field team enters the 2009-10 season with high expectations.

Pinter, who throws everything except the javelin, enjoyed an exceptional season last year. The junior won the shot put with a toss of 42 feet, 11 inches and finished fourth in the weight throw at the PSAC outdoor championships. During the indoor meet, Pinter was second in the hammer throw, third in the shot put and discus.

“She’s one of the hardest workers we’ve ever had,” women’s track and field coach Ray Hoffman said. “She is just a great athlete and she’s very quick in the circle. Pinter is a big strength for us.”

Brown placed fifth in the 1,500-meter run at the 2008 PSAC championships. Her return is a welcomed addition and it should strengthen a solid group that includes senior Maureen Watson (Walnutport/Allentown Central Catholic), senior Steph Grimm (Fleetwood/Oley Valley), senior Jessica Schlechter (Chalfont/Central Bucks South), and sophomore Jill Kostishion (Hilltown/Pennridge). Watson and Grimm were PSAC qualifiers in the 800 and 1500 last year. Schlechter and Kostishion also qualified for the PSAC championships in the 800.

In the long distances, junior Kristin Cupido (Bridgewater, NJ/Bridgewater-Rairtan) is expected to run the 5,000 and 10,000. Cupido was a NCAA provisional qualifier in the 10,000-meter distance last year. Freshman Rebecca Brandt (Cleona/Cedar Crest) is another runner that will be counted on to run anywhere from the 3,000 to 10,000-meter races. Brandt finished fifth in the 3,200-meter run last year at the PIAA Class AAA championship meet.

 Junior Cristina Reimer (Chester Springs/Downingtown East) finished fifth in the steeplechase last year at the PSAC championships. She has the potential to be one of the best steeplechasers in the conference. 

“I believe we are really deep in the distances,” Hoffman said. “Keri has done an outstanding job of getting back into shape after battling illness over the last year and we’re looking for her to do some big things in the middle distances. Cristina and Kristin have a chance of reaching the NCAA provisional qualifying standard.” 

The sprinters also could make their mark this season with sophomore Rachel Hunte (Chester Springs/Downingtown East), junior Katie Colburn (Hanover/South Western), Schlechter, senior Samirah Barczynski (Mohnton/Governor Mifflin), Brooke Matthews (Reedsville/Indian Valley), and junior Sarah Messner (Ambler/Upper Dublin) returning. 

Freshmen Maggie O’Neil (Rockland/Cranberry) and Shante Grayer (Allentown/William Allen) will be expected to contribute immediately.  

Grayer won the PIAA District XI title in the 200 and was a member of the winning 4x100m relay. She was second in the 100 and 400 at the PIAA Class AAA District XI championships. Grayer also qualified for the PIAA AAA championships in the 200 and 400. She will most likely compete in the 100 and 200-meter distances.  O'Neill was second in the District IX championship in the 400. 

The Golden Bears’ 4 x 100-meter relay team was fifth at the PSAC championships (48.56). The school record of 48.55 is attainable this season as the 4 x 100-meter relay runners are more experienced. 

Hunte will also run the 400-meter and be a member of the 4 x 400-meter relay team along with Colburn, junior Lynn Lisofsky (Wilkes-Barre/Coughlin), Schlecter and freshman Kristen Slack (Royersford/Spring-Ford).  

Colburn, Lisofsky and Slack will also participate in the 110 and 400-meter hurdles. Kutztown has plenty of hurdlers with freshman Kayla Montgomery (Cranford/Cranford), freshman Paige Schoffstall (Schuylkill Haven/Blue Mountain), junior Alyson Serafin (Slatington/Northern Lehigh), freshman Brittany Harman (Hanover/South Western) and freshman Caryn Grabowski (Scotch Plains, NJ/Union Catholic) rounding out this group.  

Sophomore Christina Costanzo (Philadelphia/Archbishop Ryan) was a PSAC qualifier in the indoor long and triple jumps. Her experience should assist a young group of jumpers that includes Slack (long and triple jump), freshman Athena Barbour (Chambersburg/Chambersburg), O’Neill, junior Jennifer Zook (Reedsville/Indian Valley), Grabowski and freshman Alex Sable (Lansdale/Gwynedd-Mercy Academy). 

“We’re going to develop as the season goes along in the sprints and jumps,” Hoffman said. 

The Golden Bears’ strength this season should be in the throws and pole vault. Teaming with Pinter will be freshman April Doyle (Greenfield Twp./Lakeland). Doyle had an exceptional high school career. She placed second at the PIAA Class AA championships in the shot put and fifth in the discus. Doyle was a four-time District II champion in the shot put and a two-time discus winner.  

Providing depth in the throws will be freshmen Kaitlyn Roberts (Clarks Summitt/Abington Heights) and Maria Hoover (FivePointsville/Garden Spot). Roberts will throw the weight, discus and hammer. Roberts will throw in those three events and the javelin. 

Senior Rachel Weigle (Red Lion/Red Lion Area), who was fifth in the pole vault at the PSAC championships and senior Allison Wise (Fivepointsville/Garden Spot) are the top returnees in this group. Weigle had a clearance of 11 feet, 1.75 inches and Wise cleared 9 feet, 8 inches last year. Joining them is Sable, Temple transfer Katie Allison and Montgomery County Community College transfer Rachel Schaeffer (Auburn/Blue Mountain). 

Kutztown will try to better its fifth-place indoor finish and seventh place outdoor effort at last year’s PSAC championship meet. Hoffman believes he has the pieces in place to enjoy a memorable winter and spring. 

“I feel like we’re more balanced than we’ve been in past years,” Hoffman said. “I believe we have a good mix of upperclassmen and freshman, which should make for an exciting year.” 

--KU--