The Shippensburg University track & field teams will send 13 individuals (12 men, 1 woman) to the 2014 NCAA Division II Outdoor Track & Field Championships hosted by Grand Valley State University in Allendale, Michigan. SU's contingent is the largest among schools from the PSAC. A total of 40 PSAC student-athletes will be in competition over the course of the three-day meet.
With its 12-person contingent, the SU men's squad hopes to make a run at its best finish in school history -- 10th place in 1984. The 1984 squad had three All-Americans, national champion
Steve Spence (5K), high jumper Wayne Blatt (4th) and javelin thrower Mike Carey (7th), resulting in 42 points per the NCAA record books. SU, making its 31st NCAA Outdoor appearance, has never had more than three All-Americans in one year. That feat has happened six times, most recently in 2009.
Several SU competitors could become the first outdoor All-Americans in school history for their respective event:
Eric Bologa (400 hurdles),
Grant Smith (shot put),
Megan Lundy (400 meters) and the men's 4x4 relay.
Peter Gelston is vying to become the second steeplechase All-American in SU history; the only Raider to date to do so is Ken Roseberry, who placed seventh in 1989.
Ryan Hart is vying to become just the second discus All-American in SU history; the only Raider to date to do so is Matt Peters, who placed fourth in 2004.
Jalen Ramsey could be one of four high jump All-Americans, joining Andrew Batula (8th, 2009), Matt McVetta (3rd, 1986; 6th, 1987; 5th, 1989) and Wayne Blatt (4th, 1984).
Brayden Burleigh hopes to become the fifth 1,500-meter All-American along with
Matt Gillette (7th, 2011), John Somers (5th, 2006), Jim Lebo (7th, 1990; 5th, 1991) and Gary Bicking (3rd, 1980).
Last year,
Derek Nothstein became the 17th different Raider to earn an All-America classification in the javelin.
Andrew Korrubin is seeking to become No. 18 this year. SU has had an All-American in the javelin in four of the last five years and 11-of-13 years dating back to 2001.
Individual capsules of each SU student-athlete headed to GVSU can be accessed through the Tournament notes linked above.
THURSDAY:Long Jump [Finals] • 2:30 PM Â
LeQuan ChapmanÂ
1500 [Prelims] • 5:10 PM Â
Brayden Burleigh400 [Prelims] • 5:55 PM Â
Megan Lundy3K Steeple [Prelims] • 6:40 PM Â
Peter Gelston400 Hurdles [Prelims] • 7:40 PM Â
Eric BologaFRIDAY:Discus [Finals] • 2 PM Â
Ryan HartHigh Jump [Finals] • 4:30 PM Â
Jalen Ramsey3K Steeple [Finals] • 7:10 PM Â
Peter Gelston4x4 Relay [Prelims] • 7:45 PM Â
Eric BologaAndrew KujawskiKevin ShawRobert BalesSATURDAY:Javelin [Finals] • 11 AM Â
Andrew KorrubinShot Put [Finals] • 2:15 PM Â
Grant Smith1500 [Finals] • 5:35 PM Â
Brayden Burleigh400 [Finals] • 6:25 PM Â
Megan Lundy400 Hurdles [Finals] • 7:20 PM Â
Eric Bologa4x4 Relay [Finals] • 8:55 PM Â
Eric BologaAndrew KujawskiKevin ShawRobert BalesÂ
