Track & Field

STLCOP Teams Take Second at KIAC
Noble and Baker Named Athlete and Coach of the Year

STLCOP Conference Champions: Jordan Robertson, Grace Noble, Clinton Washington, Bethany Chew, Brian Pankey, and Zach Wainwright.

The STLCOP men's and women's track and field teams brought home second place trophies along with the Women's Coach of the Year and Women's Athlete of the Year awards from the KIAC Championship meet on Saturday, April 27, in Berea, Ky.

With just 10 athletes competing, the Eutectic women's team scored 119 points in the meet, finishing second (of six teams) behind Berea College. First-year sprinter/jumper Grace Noble scored 46 points on her own - more points than any other female athlete at the meet- to become the KIAC Female Track and Field Athlete of the Year. Noble earned the conference champion title in the 100m (13.09), and took second place in six other events including the 200m (27.69), 400m (1:09.68), 4x100m Relay, 4x400m Relay, Long Jump (4.61m/15-01.5), and Triple Jump (9.54m/31-03.5).

Head Coach David Baker talks with Sarah Pollmann after a race. Photo by Debbie Chew

The STLCOP men's team, like the women, took second (of five teams) behind Berea College with 119 points. 10 of the Eutectics' 15 athletes brought home all-conference medals and four of them were conference champions. Second-year sprinter/jumper Brian Pankey led the Euts in points, racking up 28 by scoring in seven events. He earned the conference champion title in the triple jump (13.08m/42-11), took second in the long jump (6.34m/20-09.5) and the 4x100m relay, fourth in the 100m (11.80) and the 4x400m relay, fifth in the javelin throw (38.70m/126-11.5), and sixth the 400m (55.04). Jordan Robertson, Zach Wainwright, and  Clinton Washington each claimed conference champion titles with STLCOP record-breaking performances. Robertson won the shot put with a record throw of 13.38m/43-10.75 and also scored in four other events. Wainwright won the 400m Hurdles by clocking a record time of 1:00.04, while Washington took top honors in the hammer throw with record-breaking throw of 34.21m/112-02.75.

While the conference meet marks the end of the season for most members of the STLCOP track and field teams, Jordan Robertson has one more meet to look forward to this season: the NAIA Outdoor Championships
at Indiana Wesleyan University, May 23-25. He qualified for the national meet in the javelin throw at the Washington University Invitational on March 30. Currently, Robertson's best throw of 56.22m (184-07) is ranked 21st in the nation.        

Eutectics Score Points and Set Records at SLU Invite

Jamie Hundsdorfer set a new STLCOP record in the 800m. Photo by Lindsy Benedict.

It was nearly perfect weather for a track meet, and the Eutectics took full advantage of it by scoring points and breaking several records at the Saint Louis University Billiken Invitational on Saturday, April 13.

The men's team relied on fourth-year thrower and national qualifier Jordan Robertson for all of its nine points, which landed the STLCOP team in 14th place out of 17, beating out Westminster College, Iowa Wesleyan College, and Webster University. Robertson scored six points in the javelin throw by taking fourth place with a toss of  48.93m (160-06). In the shot put, Robertson scored another three points for the Euts with his eighth place finish (12.64m/41-05.75). Second-year distance runner James Lidy ran the fastest Eutectic 1500m time of the season at 4:22.31, while second-year sprinter/jumper Brian Pankey also ran the fastest STLCOP times of the season in the 200m (24.57) and 400m (52.82), which should put him in position to be included in the fast heat at the conference championships in two weeks.

For the Eutectic women's team, the javelin throw proved to be the only point-scoring event. Second-year athlete Bethany Chew broke her own STLCOP record by more than five meters at the meet, throwing 35.75m (117-03), claiming fourth place along with five points for the Eutectics at the meet. Second-year athlete Samantha Bryant, in her first-ever javelin competition, threw 28.11m (92-03), qualifying for the meet finals. She finished the event in eight place, scoring a point for the Euts. Chew and Bryant's combined six points would secure the Eutectics 13th place of 17 at the meet, overtaking Brescia University, Westminster College, Fontbonne University and Missouri Baptist University. First-year thrower Rebecca Larson continued her trend of breaking her own STLCOP records in the discus (29.27m/96-00) and hammer (22.10m/72-06) throws. First-year middle-distance runner Jamie Hundsdorfer claimed the new STLCOP record in the 800m, clocking a time of 2:38.56.

The Eutectics will spend the next two weeks preparing for the KIAC championship meet on April 27 in Berea, Ky.

Euts Compete at Washington U. Invite
Jordan Robertson Qualifies for Nationals

Jordan Robertson

The Eutectic men's and women's track and field teams competed in the Washington University in St. Louis Invitational on Friday and Saturday, March 29 and 30. Fourth-year thrower Jordan Robertson took third place out of 41 in the javelin throw and earned himself a trip to the NAIA Men's Outdoor Track and Field Championships. Robertson, who squeezed into the javelin finals at the meet with a toss of 49.12m, beat the NAIA qualifying standard of 56.08m with his first throw of the finals of 56.22m (184-07). The mark breaks his own personal record and STLCOP record that he set last weekend by three meters. Robertson will travel to Marion, Ind., for the NAIA Championships at Indiana Wesleyan University March 23-25.

Second-year thrower Clinton Washington finished just behind Robertson in the javelin, claiming fifth place in the meet with his throw of 52.17m (171-02). Washington also broke his own STLCOP record in the hammer throw with a mark of 31.66m (103-10). Second-year jumper Brian Pankey took seventh place in the triple jump at the meet with a leap of 13.14m (43-01.50).

The Lady Eutectics broke four STLCOP records at the Washington University meet. First-year thrower Rebecca Larson broke records in the discus (28.09m/92-02) and hammer (17.53m/57-06) throws while first-year distance runner Sarah Pollmann broke the 1500m record with a time of 5:24.03. Members of the women's 4x100m relay team bested the previous STLCOP record by .76, crossing the finish line at 55.46.

This weekend, a handful of the Eutectic squad members will compete at the McKendree Relays in Lebanon, Ill., on Friday, April 5. 

Track Teams Open Outdoor Season at SLU Kick-off Meet
Jordan Robertson and Grace Noble Named KIAC Players of the Week

Jordan Robertson Photo by Mark Gilliland	Grace Noble Photo by Lindsy Benedict

The STLCOP track teams competed well in their first meet of the 2013 outdoor season at the SLU Kick-off Meet, on Saturday, March 23rd. Fourth-year thrower Jordan Robertson earned KIAC Men's Field Athlete of the Week and first-year sprinter Grace Noble was named KIAC Women's Track Athlete of the Week for their stellar performances at the meet.

Robertson won the javelin throw, beating out eight other throwers entered in the competition. His toss of 53.24m (174-08) bested the second-place throw by almost three meters and broke his own STLCOP record of 51.04m (167-07). Robertson also took fourth place (of nine) in the shot put with a throw of 13.23m. He is currently ranked 10th in the NAIA in the javelin and 26th in shot put.

Noble smashed three STLCOP records at the meet in the 100m, 200m and the 4x100m relay. She took third (of nine) in the 200m dash, crossing the finish line at 27.34 and breaking the the previous STLCOP record by almost two seconds. Noble was sixth of 15 in the 100m dash (13.01) and ran the anchor leg of the fifth-place STLCOP 4x100m relay team with teammates Kamara Cox, Samantha Nguyen, and Samantha Bryant.

Other highlights for the Eutectic men's team included second-year jumper Brian Pankey's fourth-place finishes in the long (6.20m/20-04.25) and triple jumps (13.01m/42-08.25). First-year 400 hurdler Zach Wainwright (1:04.44) and fourth-year high jumper Taylor Lockwitz (1.72m/5-07.75) each took fifth place in their respective events.

On the women's side, several other Eutectics broke records at the meet, including Cox, who finished fourth in the triple jump, breaking her own record with a jump of 10.10m (33-01.75). Cox also took third in the long jump at the meet (4.66m/15-03.50). First-year distance specialist Sarah Pollmann broke STLCOP records in the 800m (2:45.55) and 1500m (5:43.71), while first-year thrower Rebecca Larson improved the STLCOP discus record by nearly four meters with a toss of 27.00m (88-07), finishing ninth in the meet. Larson also turned in seventh- and fifth-place finishes in the shot put and javelin.
 
The Eutectic track teams will next compete in the Washington University Invitational on Friday and Saturday, March 29-30. 

Track Teams Compete at Mizzou

Jordan Robertson, shown here at an outdoor meet, took 9th place in the shot put at the Missouri Collegiate Challenge.

The STLCOP men's and women's track and field teams traveled to Columbia, Mo., to compete in their final meet of the indoor season at the Missouri Collegiate Challenge on Friday, Feb. 15. While no team scores were kept, several Eutectics placed in the top ten among competitors from 16 different college teams. Second-year jumper Brian Pankey placed fifth in the triple jump with a leap of 13.51m (44-04.00), just missing indoor national qualifictation by .49m. First-year runner Peter Jaeger also took fifth place in the 1000m run, crossing the finish line at 2:45.47. Fourth-year thrower/jumper Jordan Robertson broke his own record (set two weeks ago at the Jim Green Invitational) in the shot put by 5.25 inches. His toss of 13.47m (44-02.50) was good enough for ninth place (of 24) at the meet.

The women's team had several record-breaking performances as well. First-year sprinter Grace Noble and first-year thrower Rebecca Larson continued their run at record-breaking performances. Noble has broken the STLCOP 60m Dash record at every meet so far this season. At the Missouri Challenge meet,
she improved on her previous record (set at the Jim Green Invitational) by .12 seconds to get it down to 8.47. Noble also smashed the STLCOP record in the 200m dash by 2.30 seconds, setting the new record time at 29.10. Larson broke the STLCOP record she set (at Jim Green) two weeks ago in the weight throw by .82m, setting the new mark at 7.68m (25-02.50). First-year distance runner Sarah Pollmann broke another STLCOP record by 39 seconds in the 1000m run, crossing the finish line at 3:33.92 in 12th place, while first-year distance runner Jamie Hundsdorfer just clipped Pollmann's new record from this season in the 800m run by .27 seconds (2:41.19).

The Eutectic teams will now begin preparations for the outdoor season schedule, which begins with the Billiken Track & Field Kick-off at St. Louis University on Mar. 27.

More STLCOP Records Fall at Jim Green Invitational; Pankey Claims Triple Jump 

Brian Pankey, shown here jumping outdoor last season, won the triple jump at the Jim Green Invitational.  Photo by Patty Pieper.

Second-year jumper Brian Pankey claimed the triple jump title at the meet, leaping 13.27m (43-06.50). Pankey, the current STLCOP record-holder in the triple jump, hopes to repeat his 2012 NAIA national championship qualification this spring. Two STLCOP throwers smashed indoor records at the meet as well. Third-year thrower Jordan Robertson bested the previous shot put record by almost a foot with a throw of 43-07.50. Second-year thrower Clinton Washington smashed his own record set last year in the indoor weight throw by over a meter with a toss of 10.82m (35-06.00). 

The Eutectic women's squad was small, but mighty. With only five women competing in the meet, the Lady Euts put four new marks on the indoor record books. In the first meet of her collegiate career, first-year thrower Rebecca Larson broke two Eutectic throwing records. Her shot put of 8.34m (27-04.5), shattered the previous record of 7.91m, while her weight throw of 6.86m (22-06.25) also made it into the record books. First-year sprinter Grace Noble broke her own record (set last week at the Principia Relays) in the 60m dash by .12 seconds, speeding through the finish line at 8.55 seconds. Finally, first-year distance runner Sarah Pollmann broke the 800m indoor record by nearly two seconds, posting a time of 2:41.46.

The Eutectic track teams will take a week off from competition before heading to the Missouri Collegiate Challenge on Friday, Feb. 15, in Columbia.

Tracksters Smash STLCOP Records at Principia Relays

The men’s and women’s indoor track teams competed in the Principia College Invite on Friday, Jan. 25, turning in several record-breaking performances. For the men, second-year sprinter/jumper Brian Pankey took third-place in the 500m, breaking the STLCOP record with a time of 1:13.65. The men’s 4 x 200m relay, consisting of Pankey, Zach Wainwright, Jordan Robertson, and Steven Cowdin, also broke the school record with their fifth-place time of 1:41.63. Wainwright set the STLCOP record for the men’s 300m (41.76).

For the women’s team, first-year distance runner Sarah Pollmann broke her own record (which she set in December) in the one mile run by  more than two seconds. Her 5:50.39 time was good enough for fifth place in the meet. First-year sprinter Grace Noble broke three STLCOP records in the long jump (4.55m) and 60m dash (8.67), and as a member of the women’s 4 x 200m relay with teammates  Kamara Cox, Jamie Hundsdorfer and Samantha Nguyen (2:03.70). Cox tied the STLCOP record in the high jump with a leap of 1.22m. STLCOP records were also set by Jenni Shaw in the 3000m (13:26.12), Samantha Nguyen in the 300m (54.68) and the distance medley relay team of Pollmann, Shaw, Noble and Hundsdorfer (15:07.12).

The track teams will compete again this Saturday, Feb. 2, at the Jim Green Invitational at Illinois College (Jacksonville).

Track Team Members Compete at Principia Distance Carnival

Eight members of the Eutectic men's and women's track teams opened the 2012-13 indoor season by competing in the Principia College Distance Carnival on Friday, Dec. 7. St. Louis College of Pharmacy was one of three teams participating in the early season meet along with Webster University and Principia. First-year runners Grace Noble and Sarah Pollmann broke STLCOP records in the 500m run and 1 mile run, respectively. Noble won the 500m with a time of 1:33, breaking the school record by 12 seconds in her first collegiate race. Pollmann took second in the mile with a time of 5:52, crushing the previous STLCOP record by a minute. On the men's side, second-year James Lidy won the 1000m run with a time of 2:51. Sixth-year STLCOP track team alum David Baker, running unattached, won the one mile run in 4:37. STLCOP's Matt McKenzie and Peter Jaeger battled for third place in the same race, with McKenzie just edging out Jaeger at the finish line, 4:47.79 to 4:47.88. First-year Jerrett Marcuson finished sixth in the mile with a time of 4:54.  

The Eutectic men's squad also put together two relay teams for the 4 x 400m and 1600m Sprint Medley. The 4 x 400m team of Peter Jaeger, Brian Pankey, Matt McKenzie, and Jerrett Marcuson took third place with a time of 3:56.07. Jaeger, Marcuson, and Pankey teamed up with Zach Wainwright in the sprint medley, finishing in third place with a time of 4:03.67.

The track teams will enjoy some time off over the semester break before they return to Principia with a full squad
for the Principia Invite on Jan. 27.  

Men's Track Team is KIAC Runner-up; Women Take Third
Coach Baker Named Men's Track and Field Coach of the Year
Alec Daily Named Men's Track and Field Athlete of the Year

Senior Alec Daily was named KIAC Men's Track & Field Athlete of the Year for the third year in a row.

The Eutectic men's and women's track and field teams came back from the conference meet with some hardware and bragging rights. The teams traveled to Berea, Ky., to compete in the KIAC championships on Saturday, April 21, and brought back the Men's runner-up trophy and the Women's third-place trophy along with nine conference champion medals and 24 all-conference awards. Senior Alec Daily won the KIAC Men's Track and Field Athlete of the Year award for the third year in a row, while head coach David Baker brought home his first KIAC Men's Track and Field Coach of the Year award.

The Eutectics brought 21 men to compete at the meet and compiled 215 points to take second-place behind defending champion Berea College. Daily collected 46 of those points for the Euts to win the Athlete of the Year award, scoring in each of the nine events in which he was entered and winning the 400m (51.10) and high jump (6'.75") competitions. As expected, STLCOP's two outdoor national qualifiers won brought home conference champion hardware. Two-time All-American senior David Baker won his two events, the 800m (2:02.32) and the 1500m (4:11.23), while freshman Brian Pankey won the triple jump (44'8.25"). Pankey, competing in seven events with a sore hamstring, racked up 34 points for the Euts. Freshman Clinton Washington surprised the field by winning the discus throw (120'8") by more than seven feet, while sophomore Tyler Edwards claimed the 400m Hurdles title (1:01.32) narrowly edging out teammate Clayton Maxfield (1:01.34) in an event where the Eutectics took four of the top six places.

Kamara Cox (right) hands off to  Samantha Nguyen (left) in the women's 4 x 100m relay.

The "Coach of the Year" award traditionally goes to the winning team's coach through a vote of all participating
school's coaches. This year, STLCOP head coach David Baker threw a wrench in that tradition by winning the "KIAC Men's Coach of the Year" award despite his team's second-place finish. For years, the Berea Mountaineers have dominated the meet with numbers and talent. This year, Baker's Eutectics made a run for the title and had the Mountaineers sweating it out until the bitter end. The other coaches recognized that and honored Baker for coaching his small team to the runner-up spot.

Losing eight seniors from the men's team, including Daily and Baker, Coach Baker had mixed emotions about the final meet of the regular season. "The nice thing about this men's team was that just about everybody scored [at the conference meet]," Coach Baker said. "The let down was not that we got second, but that, for all the seniors (except Baker), it's over."

Coach Baker will take Baker and Pankey to compete in the 1500m run and the triple jump at the NAIA Outdoor
Championships May 26-28. 

STLCOP Honors David Baker as All-American

David Baker stands under  the All-American banner in the Pillbox.

 

On Monday, April 30, students, faculty, staff, friends, and the St. Louis media convened in the St. Louis College of Pharmacy gym, known as the Pillbox, to honor David Baker as an All-American. Baker, a fifth-year pharmacy student, earned his second All-American title at the NAIA Indoor Track and Field Championships in Geneva, Ohio, on March 3rd. Running 4:08.30 in the one mile run, Baker took sixth place at the national meet for the second year in a row to earn All-America status. Baker is the only athlete in St. Louis College of Pharmacy history to be named All-American. He will compete in the 1500m run at the NAIA Outdoor National Meet on May 26-27 in Marion, Ind. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Eutectics Named KIAC Players of the Week

Bethany Chew (top), Kamara Cox (left), and David Baker (right) were named KIAC Field and Track Athletes of the Week.

 

After competing in last weekend's Saint Louis University (SLU) Billiken Invitational, three Eutectic track and field athletes were recognized by the conference for their record-breaking performances for the week of April 9-15.

 

Freshman Bethany Chew earned KIAC Women's Outdoor Field Athlete of the Week for her record-breaking performance in the javelin throw. Chew finished 7th in the javelin and broke the STLCOP school record with a mark of 100'11." She became only the second athlete in the KIAC to break the 100-foot mark.

 

Freshman Kamara Cox also competed in record-breaking fashion on the track at the meet, receiving KIAC Women's Outdoor Track Athlete of the Week honors. Cox broke STLCOP records in the 100 (13.85) and 200 (29.31) meter dashes taking 7th and 18th places in the races. Cox also broke a school record in her first at the triple jump (9.37m/30-09.00) finishing fouth, while also setting a school record in the long jump (4.56m/14-11.50) and taking eighth place at the meet.

 

The KIAC Men's Outdoor Track Athlete of the Week went to senior and All-American David Baker for the second time this season. Baker broke the school record in the 5000m run at the SLU meet with a time of 15:02.27, just 2.5 seconds away from the NAIA national meet qualifying mark. He followed that up with a personal best in the 800m, running 1:55.42—less than a second off the NAIA qualifying mark. Baker has already qualified for the NAIA national meet in the 1500m.

 

St. Louis College of Pharmacy track and field will return to action on April 28 when they participate in the
KIAC Championship in Berea, Ky.

 

Track Teams Break Records at SLU Invitational

The men's and women's track teams competed at the inaugural Saint Louis University (SLU) Invite on April 13 and 14.  When it was all said and done, the Eutectics left with eight new school records for STLCOP.
 
Freshman Kamara Cox broke three STLCOP women's records, starting with the 100m (13.85) and the 200m (29.31) dashes. She would also lead the Euts in the jumps. Her long jump of 14'11" was just three inches off of

her personal long jump record, and, in her first ever triple jump competition, she would break the STLCOP record with a jump of 30'9." "Kamara is just a really good athlete," said Head Track and Field Coach David Baker. "I think we are just getting a taste of what she's capable of, and I'm looking forward to seeing her progress going into our conference meet." 
 
Fellow freshman Bethany Chew broke her own school record in the javelin at the SLU meet. Her throw of 30.77m/100'11" was good enough to finish seventh overall in the meet and it ranked 91st overall in the NAIA.   "In warm ups, Beth had a throw of around 33-34 meters. It was out there," said Baker.  "I'm hopeful she'll be able to find another throw like that or more in competition."
 
In the shot put, freshman Alexa Faulkner continues to lead the way for the Eutectics. "Alexa has PR'd in every
competition since her first throw during the indoor season," said Baker. "It's just fun for us to see her really
thriving in the shot." Faulkner's throw of 8.81m/28'11" set the school record.  She'll be hoping to crack the 30-
foot mark at the KIAC conference meet in two weeks.
 
On the men's side, senior All-American David Baker led the way for the Eutectics in the running events. His
competition started with the 5000m on Friday night. Though Baker would break the school record with a time of
15:02.27, it's worth mentioning that two other Euts also broke the record in the previous heat. Senior Silvio
Flaim beat his personal best by more than 30 seconds, running 16:21, and freshman Matt McKenzie also PR'd with a time of 16:39.  Baker's time was just 2.5 seconds away from the NAIA national meet qualifying mark for the 5000m. Baker returned on day two to set a personal best in the 800m. His time of 1:55.42 was less than a second off the NAIA qualifying mark for the 800m. Baker has already qualified for the NAIA national meet in the 1500m.
 
The Eutectics rounded out the day with school records in the shot put and the javelin. "These are really exciting
events for our team," said Coach Baker. "We've got a lot of intra-squad competition going on with a lot of pride on
the line. I think the men are really pushing each other, which is helping everyone in the end." In the shot put, junior Andy Mou finished 4th overall, pulling out a narrow victory over his teammates with a record-setting
throw of 12.97m/42'6.75". Mou was followed closely by sophomore Jordan Robertson (6th, 12.53'/41'1.5") and by
freshman Clinton Washington (8th, 11.82m/38'9.5").

 

The javelin saw a number of lead changes among the Eutectic throwers during the meet. On his final throw, Robertson would set a new personal best and school record, finishing 3rd overall with a throw of 51.08m/167'7". Robertson was followed closely by senior Alec Daily (6th, 47.84/156'11PR) and Washington (7th, 153'11"PR). Daily also finished 3rd in both the high jump (1.85m/6'0.75") and triple jump (12.56m/41'2.5").

 

Sophomore distance specialist Yang Pan ran the Go! St. Louis marathon on Sunday, finishing in 3:34.06.

 

The STLCOP track teams will have the next two weeks off of competition to prepare for the KIAC championships on April 28 in Berea, Ky.

 

Baker and Pankey Named KIAC Athletes of the Week 

Fifth--year David Baker                        First-year Brian Pankey KIAC Track Athlete of the Week         KIAC Field Athlete of the Week

 

Fifth-year and two-time All-American David Baker and first-year Brian Pankey earned conference accolades this week when they were named KIAC Men's Outdoor Track Athlete and Men's Outdoor Field Athlete of the Week on April 2. Both qualified for the NAIA Outdoor National championships in the first outdoor track meet of the season at the Washington University Invitational on March 31.

 

Baker finished second out of 86 athletes in the 1500m run, breaking his own school record by two seconds with a time of 3:54.34. He also finished 13th in the 800m run with a time of 1:57.44. Pankey won the triple jump competition at the meet, beating out 26 fellow jumpers with a leap of 46'3/4" and breaking the STLCOP record by nearly five feet. In addition, he took 21st place in the 400m dash with a time of 51.40. The two athletes accounted for 18 of STLCOP's 22 points at the meet, helping the team to a 15th place finish among 32 teams.

St. Louis College of Pharmacy track and field will return to action on April 10 when they compete in the
McKendree Tri-Meet in Lebanon, Ill.

 

Track Teams Qualify Two at First Outdoor Meet

 

The track teams competed in the first outdoor meet of the season at the Washington University Invitational on
March 31 qualifying two individuals to the NAIA National Championships. Two-time All-American David Baker qualified in the 1500m running 3:54.35, taking second place (of 86 competitors) and smashing his previous STLCOP record from last season. Freshman standout Brian Pankey beat out 26 other jumpers to win the triple jump with a jump of 46'3/4" and qualify for nationals at his first collegiate outdoor meet. Baker and Pankey will travel to Marion, Ind., to compete in the national championships on May 24-26.

 

Other highlights for the men's team included third-year Jordan Robertson's fifth-place finish in the javelin (of 45) with a STLCOP record-breaking throw of 167'5" along with an 18th-place finish in the long jump, 19th in the triple jump, and 20th in the shot put. Baker and Pankey also finished well in their other events. Baker took 13th in the 800m with a time of 1:57.44, while Pankey was 21st in the 400 (51.40). Clinton Washington posted a 19th place in the javelin throw by tossing the stick 142’. The Eutectic men's team placed 15th of 32 teams posting scores at the meet.

 

The freshman women had a good showing at the meet as well. Alexa Faulkner set STLCOP's shot put record with 28'5 3/4". Bethany Chew placed 14th in the javelin and broke the STLCOP record with a throw of 97’11”, while Kaitlin LaBoube placed 22nd (of 41) in javelin with a 84’6” throw, which also beat the previous STLCOP record. Kamara Cox broke the STLCOP 100m dash record with a time of :14.01. The Eutectic tracksters will be back on the track on April 10 at the McKendree tri-meet.

 

STLCOP's David Baker is KIAC Nominee for NAIA Dr. Leroy Walker Award

David Baker

 

Fifth-year pharmacy student and All-American track recipient David Baker was selected by the Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (KIAC) as the conference nominee for the NAIA Dr. Leroy Walker Champions of Character Award early this month. The award is based on of the NAIA Champions of Character program and its five core values: integrity, respect, responsibility, sportsmanship, and servant leadership, and honors Dr. Walker, president emeritus of the United States Olympic Committee and former NAIA president.

 

Baker, who in 2011 became STLCOP's first-ever All-American, earned the conference selection for his outstanding academic and athletic achievement along with campus and community leadership, embracing the five core character values, and future ambition.

 

Athletic Director Jill Harter believes Baker exemplifies the Champions of Character values. "The list of David’s honors is long and demonstrates his achievement as a cross country and track runner, excellence in the classroom, and service on campus and in the community," Harter said. "However, what that list cannot convey is the quiet and humble demeanor with which David goes about his business and incorporates the Champions of Character values into his everyday life."

 

Baker's list of accomplishments during his college career is lengthy. In addition to his two-time All-American
status, he has earned five NAIA All-America Scholar-Athlete honors for cross country and track, has been a mainstay on the STLCOP dean's list, has made numerous appearances at the national cross country championships, has won several conference champion titles, and holds several STLCOP records in both cross country and track and field. Baker also volunteers his time as a student pharmacist assisting with programs for children with asthma and ailing seniors and works as a tutor to assist fellow pharmacy students.

"He cares and nurtures his teammates' development and understands that success can be achieved in more than just one's time," head cross country and track coach David Baker (no relation) said of Baker. "No one works as hard as David does, but because of him many have worked harder than they believed they could."

 

Fellow fifth-year pharmacist Silvio Flaim echoes Coach Baker's remarks about Baker, calling him a "natural leader" and finding himself "inadvertently looking towards David for ways to succeed."  "Thanks to David," Flaim said, "I have grown both as an individual and a student-athlete by trying to emulate many of this qualities."

 

The national Dr. Leroy Walker Award winner will be announced in April.

 

David Baker Becomes Two-Time All-American

On March 3, fifth-year David Baker repeated his All-American performance from last year in the 1-mile run at the NAIA Indoor National Track and Field Championships in Geneva, Ohio. His time of 4:08.30 earned him sixth place.

Baker is celebrated as St. Louis College of Pharmacy's first-ever All-American for his sixth-place finish at the 2011 indoor nationals, running the mile in 4:13.50. He began his journey to the 2012 national meet by qualifying at the very first indoor meet of the season in December with a time of 4:17.27. For the past three months, he has been training and competing in local meets to prepare him to run at nationals.

 

Once there, Baker needed to finish in the top three (of 12) in his preliminary qualifying heat on Friday, or have one of the next four fastest times, to get into the finals on Saturday. During his preliminary heat on Friday, March 2, Baker ran the mile in 4:14.68, the sixth-fastest time overall, to qualify for the finals. Then, on Saturday, with everything on the line, Baker broke his own STLCOP record (from last year's indoor nationals) of 4:13.50 by five seconds to earn his second All-American title.

 

The race was faster than Baker and STLCOP's head track Coach David Baker expected. All 10 finalists recorded finishing times that were faster than last year's national champion. Because of this, Baker could not use his planned strategy of outkicking others at the final lap. He, along with the rest of the competition, had no extra gear left at the end of the race.

"It was such a fast race from the start," said Coach Baker. "David had never been in a race where he was challenged that early. So it was less strategic and more about talent and guts." Setting a personal record in the 1,000-meter during the race, Baker set out running faster than he ever had.

 

"I somehow lucked out," Baker said. "I was in seventh or eighth place around the third lap and the guy on the outside of me didn't close the gap between us, so I was able to pass on the inside. I could definitely feel it in my legs at 1,000, so then I just had to hang in there."

 

Baker's 4:08.30 mile time makes him the fastest collegiate athlete in Missouri. He scored three points at the national meet put STLCOP in 48th place in the NAIA.

 

When Coach Baker congratulated Baker, he told him  "I think this one's going to take a couple days to sink in." But Baker had no resting planned. Despite his sore legs, he went out for a long run on Sunday and will continue training for the outdoor season.

 

STLCOP's first outdoor track and field competition will be March 30 and 31 at the Washington University Invitational.

 

David Baker Qualifies for Nationals at First Meet

Fifth-year student-athlete David Baker

 

All-American David Baker was back on the track Dec. 3 just long enough to qualify for the NAIA Indoor Track and Field National Championships in his first race of the season. Baker, who placed sixth in the nation last year and became the first-ever STLCOP All-American, ran a 4:17.27 mile - easily surpassing the 4:20 qualification standard - at the Saluki Fast Start meet at Southern Illinois University. After the first week of the indoor track and field season, Baker is currently number one in the NAIA.

 

With only one track workout since cross country season, Baker was running blind. "I had no idea how it was going to go on Saturday," he said. Then he added, "It turned out pretty good, though." Baker hopes to improve his time before the national meet in March, setting his goal at a sub-4:10 mile.

 

Cross country national qualifier Matt McKenzie also competed in the meet along with sixth-year Eutectic alum Amr Abualnadi. Between the three, STLCOP took three of the top four places in the 800-meter run, with Abualnadi winning the race in 1:58.77, Baker second at 1:58.90, and McKenzie fourth at 2:09.36. Abualnadi took fourth place in the one mile run, finishing in 4:21.28. McKenzie, running his first college race, ran 4:40.68.

 

Additional members of the Eutectic team also will attempt to meet the national qualifying standards when the team returns to action on Jan. 27th at the Principia College meet.

 

STLCOP Track Team is Outstanding at KIAC Conference Meet 

Alec Daily is KIAC Men's Track & Field Athlete of the Year

 

 

The STLCOP Track team journeyed to Berea, Ky., for the KIAC Conference Meet with 16 athletes and left at the end of the day with 16 All-Conference performances. Alec Daily scored 48 of the men's team’s 166 points and was named the conference's Athlete of the Year. Daily won both the Long (20-1) and Triple Jumps (40-0) and won the 400 with a school record time of 50.66. Daily also was all-conference in the High Jump (3rd, 6-0') and Javelin (2nd, 146-0'), and was on the conference championship 4x400m relay team.

 

David Baker and Amr Abualnadi also contributed with Conference Championship performances.  The 1500 previewed to be the race of the day with Baker, Abualnadi, and two Berea runners all within seconds of the NAIA Nationals qualification mark at the distance. Abualnadi took the pack out on pace to hit the qualification mark through three laps and then the race was on.  Baker, having missed the standard by .25 seconds just one week earlier, powered through the final 400 hitting the mark and winning the race in a time of 3:56.29. By hitting the NAIA standard, Baker joins Abualnadi as

David Baker and Amr Abualnadi Head to NAIA Outdoor Nationals

STLCOP's representatives at the NAIA national meet in four weeks. Abualnadi would finish the race in fourth place, but wasn't done for the day. In the 800, he raced out to a commanding lead through the 400 and would go unchallenged. His time of 1:53.54 broke his own school record set just a week earlier. Baker would finish second in the race with a time of 1:59.09. The final race of the day would account for STLCOP's sixth conference title. The men's 4x400m relay team, consisting of Jake Gendron, Daily, Abualnadi, and Baker, smoked the field by more than 10 seconds with a school record time of 3:28.28. 

 

Though not a conference championship performance, one of the highlights of the day occurred in the men's 400m hurdles. Jon Lingow, competing in a hurdles event for the first time in his life, entered the home stretch in second place just five meters behind the leader. Going for the win, Lingow attacked the final hurdle only to catch his trail leg falling to the track. He was able to pick himself up, leaving some flesh behind, and finish third overall in an all-conference and school-record time of 1:06.19. 

 

"I was just so proud that he would run the race in the first place having no hurdling experience," said Head Coach David Baker. “And then to see him compete the way he did was truly an outstanding performance.”

 

The STLCOP men's team finished the meet in second place. Other all-conference and/or school record (SR) performances included:

 

3000m Steeple: Silvio Flaim; 3rd Place, 11:23

4x100m: 2nd Place, 45.89 (SR);  Bobby Jones, Jon Lingow, Jake Gendron, Clayton Maxfield

4x800m: 3rd Place; Sarju Pancel, Silvio Flaim, Mark Streitz, and Amr Abualnadi

Triple Jump: Bobby Jones; 3rd Place, 37-05'

Shot Put:- Andy Mou; 3rd Place, 42-05 (SR)

 

Though the women's team consisted of only two, they were not to be outdone by the men. Both Suong Nguyen and Amber Crites checked in with All-Conference performances. Nguyen got the day going for the women, finishing third in the 100m Hurdles. Her time of 17.26 broke her own school record set just last week. Crites completed her own all-conference performance, finishing third in the 400 with a school-record time of 1:08.51. Crites came off the final turn in fourth, but tore down the home stretch to put herself in the third position. She would set school records in the Javelin (63-03') and the triple jump (5th, 25-03).

 

"I love having these two young ladies representing our school,” said Coach Baker. “They are both just the nicest girls you will ever meet, but then they just compete so hard. Whatever we lack in numbers on the girls’ side, these two make up for it." 

 

"Just about every athlete on the team, in just about every event, set a season's best today,” Coach Baker continued. “They represented themselves extremely well, and I was very proud of the way they competed.  This is an outstanding group of kids and we just had a lot of fun competing and supporting each other out there today."

 

Eutectics Storm to New School Records;  Abualnadi qualifies for NAIA Nationals
 
The Eutectics arrived at Ralph Korte Stadium on the campus of SIU-Edwardsville to a chorus of rain on Saturday, April 23.  The meet started on time, but events were delayed shortly after the start due to strong showers and thunder. After more than a half hour delay, the Eutectics went to work.
 
The highlight of the day was Amr Abualnadi's strong performance in the 800. Abualnadi raced out to the lead early and led until the last stretch, managing to grab second place with an NAIA national qualifying time of 1:53.64.  Abualnadi's teammate, David Baker, just missed the NAIA qualifying mark, running a personal record of 1:55.59 - just 1.09 seconds from qualifying.
 
Although Baker just missed the qualifying mark in the 800, it was doubly painful due to his close call in the 1500. Baker's time of 3:57.25 set a new school record, but missed the NAIA standard by just .25 seconds. His race was going to plan prior to attempting an inside pass on the third lap. When the gap closed prior to the pass, Baker had to slow down, backing off of the two runners in front of him, and then pass on the outside.  The move likely cost him the precious time needed to hit the mark. Baker will only have to wait one week to make his next attempt.
 
The Eutectics placed high in multiple events against a strong field including NCAA DI and DII schools. The weather and the conditions affected both times and distances, but the Euts didn't seemed bothered. Other outstanding performances included Alec Daily's STLCOP record-breaking performances in the 400 (51.63), the Javelin (45.44m/149-01), and as a leg of the record-setting 4x100 team. Jake Gendron also broke and held the school record in the javelin for about 30 seconds. Daily's record throw came immediately after Gendron's throw of 40.68m/133-05. Gendron also set a personal record in the 400 (54.76) and was a member of the 4x100 team. Jon Lingow and Tony Beoletto were the other members of the 4 x 100 and achieved personal records in individual events: Lingow in the 400 (55.06) and Beoletto in the Javelin (110-07).

Andy Mou led the Euts in the throws. He finished third in the shot put, despite throwing three feet short of his personal record due to difficult weather conditions. Sarju Pancel (4:44), Mark Streitz (4:58), and Yang Pan (5:14) each obtained personal records in the 1500.
 
The women's team, though small, showed tremendous improvement at the SIUE meet. Suong Nguyen knocked 1.5 seconds off of her personal record/school record in the 100H.  Nguyen finished 2nd in her heat and 5th overall in a time of 17.80. Amber Crites also had a personal record and lowered her school record in the 400.  Her time of 1:10.93 was good for 13th overall.  Crites also competed in the Javelin for the first time ever.  Her throw of 63-01 set the school record for Javelin. 
 
"Our kids literally sat in their cars for more than an hour wondering whether or not we were going to run the meet. And for them to compete the way they did was just awesome. I'm just very proud of the way they rose to the occasion," said Head Coach David Baker.
 
The Euts next competition is the KIAC conference championship meet in Berea, Ky., on Saturday, April 30.

STLCOP All-American David Baker Honored

Head Track & Field Coach David Baker, Athletic Director Jill Jokerst-Harter, President John Pieper, David Baker, and David's parents, Robert and Sharon Baker pose with a framed photo of Baker running the mile at the NAIA Indoor National Track & field Championships.

On April 8, a ceremony was held in the Pillbox at St. Louis College of Pharmacy to honor the College's first-ever NAIA All-American, fourth-year student David Baker. To earn the title, Baker ran the mile in 4:13, finishing in sixth place at the NAIA Indoor Track and Field National Championships on March 5.

Students, faculty, staff, and friends attended the ceremony at which Athletic Director Jill Jokerst-Harter, President John Pieper, and Head Track and Field Coach David Baker spoke about Baker's accomplishments. Baker was presented with a large framed photograph of himself running the history-making race. A copy of the framed photo and plaque will be on permanent display at the College.

Baker thanked the group and his teammates, with a special nod to teammate Amr Abualnadi who pushed him during training runs. At the close of the ceremony, a new banner was unveiled on the the wall of the gym commemorating Baker's All-American status.

Abualnadi Named KIAC Track Athlete of the Week  

Amr Abualnadi Named KIAC Track Athlete of the Week

St. Louis College of Pharmacy fifth-year student Amr Abualnadi was named the KIAC men's outdoor track athlete of the week by KIAC officials on Monday, April 4. STLCOP competed in the Washington University Invitational on April 1and 2. Abualnadi set the school record in the 800 meter with a time of 1:54.79 and placed second in the event. He also set a personal record in the 1,500 meter, finishing the race in fifth place with a time of 4:03. STLCOP is set to return to action April 23 when they travel to Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.

Abualnadi, Baker, and Daily Lead Euts at Wash U. Invite

 

Fifth-year student Amr Abualnadi completed a solid two-event day by finishing the 800 meter in a school record time of 1:54.79. The NAIA national qualifying mark is 1:54.50. Though just short, there was no disappointment for either Abualnadi or for Coach David Baker. 

 

"Amr attacked from the beginning, running just off the lead," said Coach Baker. "He really took off on the final lap and went for the win. I don't think he knew he was running a 1:54 pace or I think he would have qualified." Amr also finished in 7th place overall in the 1,500 meter with a personal best of 4:03.62.

 

All-American and fourth-year student David Baker also got off to a fast start in the first meet of the outdoor season. He took 3rd place in the 1,500 meter with a school record time of 4:01.97. Baker is just five seconds off the NAIA national qualifying time for the 1,500. Baker also broke the two-minute barrier in the 800 meter for the first time, finishing 6th overall with a time of 1:57.22. 

 

"David and Amr continue to impress me with every race,” said Coach Baker. “I'm no longer for sure what ceiling is out there for them.”

 

Fourth-year student Alec Daily became the first Eutectic to compete in the decathlon. In doing so, Daily broke the school record in the high jump, clearing 6-02. He set the school record in the 100 meter with a time of 11.83, and set school records in both the pole vault (9-0.25) and decathlon (5287).  Daily finished 6th overall in a strong field of decathletes, including three Division III All-Americans. Daily's finish currently ranks him 6th overall in the NAIA for the decathlon.

 

The Eutectic men's team ranked 16th of more than 30 teams at the meet.

 

For the women’s team, second-year student Suong Nguyen and first-year student Amber Crites set STLCOP records. Nguyen set the school record in the 100 hurdles (19.35), and Crites set records in both the 200 (30.77) and 400 (1:13.11). 

 

Other outstanding performances included: third-year Andy Mou - 14th in the shot put (40-04.25), fourth-year John Tedder -, 23rd in the javelin (114-03), fourth-year Jake Gendron - 34th in the 400 (55.16), fourth-year Jon Lingow - 46th in the 100 (12.31), third-year Brian Bridgford - 49th in the 200 (25.43), and fourth-year Silvio Flaim - 48th in the 1500 (4:31.27).