T
RACK WRAPS UP SEASON AT OUTDOOR
NATIONALS
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Seven members of the Houghton College outdoor track
and field team competed at the NAIA National Championships in Louisville,
Ky., May 26-28.
The women's 4 x 800 relay ran a time of 9:34.40 and finished 15th in the
competition. The team consisted of senior Kerri Koch (Lititz, Pa. / Warwick),
junior Mary Gibson (Grosse Pointe Park, Mich. / Grosse Pointe South), senior
Katy Sykes (Canton, N.Y. / Williams), and sophomore Audrey Seldomridge
(Landisville, Pa. / Hempfield).
Koch also ran the 1500 in a time of 4:45.41 and finished 20th.
Gibson ran the 800 in a time of 2:16.14 and finished 10th in the competition.
Sophomore Meghan Radimer (Branchville, N.J. / High Point) competed in the
javelin with a throw of 129' 0" and a 13th place finish.
Freshman Rachel Rhodes (Salamanca, N.Y. / Cattaraugus Little Valley) competed
in the 3000 meter race walk with a time of 18:35.12 and finished 10th.
Sophomore Ryan Fadden (Hyde Park, N.Y. / Franklin D. Roosevelt) ran the 800
in a time of 1:53.95 and finished 12th in the competition. His time broke his
own school record in the event.
“One of the things we stressed is that anytime an athlete makes it to the
national level of competition, they should recognize that as a great
accomplishment. The focus then changed to helping our athletes realize that
they were one of the top athletes in their event this year,” said assistant
coach Trini Rangel. “Coach Smalley and I were happy with the fact that most
of our performances were "on par" or close to being "on par" with the
performances from the season. It was exciting to have Ryan break his school
record again.
“Two of the seven athletes are seniors, so this represented their last
National's appearance, and they will be missed.”
Katy Sykes competed in four National competitions, all as a member of the
4x800 Relay team (two indoor and two outdoor). Kerri Koch finished her career
as an eight-time National competitor.
Kerri Koch
2003-2005
8-Time National Qualifier
Team Captain, 2005
Indoor Records: Mile, 4x800 Relay
Outdoor Records: 1500, 4x800 Relay
Katy Sykes
2002-2005
4-Time National Qualifier
Team Chaplain, 2005
Indoor Record: 4x800 Relay
Outdoor Record: High Jump, 4x400 Relay, 4x800 Relay
Houghton College
has deep
and
solid
roots in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics, where our
teams use their commitment to excellence, both on the field-of-play
and
in the classroom, as a platform for their strong and
unique emphasis on Sports Ministry. Their goal is to make a
difference
for the Kingdom
on campus, in
Allegany
County,
in the Northeast and
around
the world.
Houghton is one of only 13 institutions who have been hand-selected
by the NAIA to serve as "Champions of Character" Program Centers, opening the
door
for Houghton to be a leader,
both in the Northeast and
nationally, in character education.
Through hands-on,
innovative community outreach initiatives, Houghton coaches and
student-athletes
are working together to change the culture of sport and
to change our culture through sport.
