Fitchburg State Ready To Build Upon Strong Indoor Season
The Fitchburg State women’s outdoor track and field team enters the 2012 season looking to build upon a successful indoor season, having made significant improvements from a year ago. The Falcons were picked fourth overall in the MASCAC Pre-Season Coaches Poll, and they possess the right talent and leadership to move their way up in the conference.
“We have a great group of kids who are working harder,” said head coach Jim Jellison. “We’re coming off a strong indoor season and I think we are going to surprise some people at MASCAC’s.”
This season, Fitchburg State will rely heavily on its core veteran leadership of senior captains Madeline Merchant (Gardner, Mass./Monty Tech), Emily Lane (Clinton, Conn./The Morgan School), and Katrina Marrone (Springfield, Mass./Springfield Central) paving the way both on the track, and in the field. Merchant, the reigning outdoor MASCAC triple jump champion, will contribute heavily on the field in both long and triple jump, while also showcasing her talents on the track in the 100m and 200m dashes. Lane is among the MASCAC elite in high jump, having won the conference title in the event the past two years, while also leading the Falcons in the 55m hurdles. Marrone will spark Fitchburg State’s mid distance squad, competing atop the conference in the 400m and 800m, as well as leading the relay teams with Merchant. Her versatility will propel the team, also competing in the 3000m steeplechase and triple jump.
Fitchburg State’s newcomers will look to make a big impact this season. Freshman Jenae Harrison (Sioux Falls, S.D./Washington (S.D) and classmate Braila Roy (Hyannis, Mass./Barnstable) will contribute immensely in the mid distance and distance events, while sophomore Samantha Wilkinson (Wakefield, Mass./Wakefield) will look to make her mark in the 200m and 400m. All three will be relied upon to contribute in the relays. Freshman Arthina Robert (Lynn, Mass./Lynn Voc Tech) will also supply the Falcon’s sprinters with some depth competing in the 100m and 200m.
The Falcon’s throwing squad will be lead by junior captain Megan Gonzalez (Ridgewood, N.J./Ridgewood). Gonzalez returns as the Falcons top thrower, competing alongside Brittany Chace (Foster, R.I./Ponaganset) who finished among the top three in the javelin a year ago. The addition of sophomore Katelyn Sletterink (Wakefield, Mass./Wakefield) will add depth and strength to the ladies team.
Fitchburg State will kick off the 2012 outdoor season Saturday, March, 24th as it travels to Northeastern University.