2014 Utah Track and Field Preview

1/2/2014 12:00 AM | Track & Field

Jan. 2, 2014

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Entering its third year as a member of the Pac-12 Conference, the Utah women's track and field team is gearing up for another successful campaign in 2014. Now in his ninth season, head coach Kyle Kepler is challenged with the task of preparing a young squad to compete in the nation's top conference.

Losing 11 seniors, including five-time All-American Amanda Mergaert, the Utes will be looking for their underclassmen to play a significant role in the upcoming season. Despite the youth in most positions, the team will be aided by the return of seniors Stephanie Jolley and Alyssa Johnson in the sprinting events. Furthermore the throwers will be bolstered by the return of junior Aoife Hickey. The distance group will be strengthened by the addition of junior Rebekah Winterton, who took much of 2013 off due to injury.

"This team is about as well rounded as we have had here at Utah in awhile," Kepler stated. "Obviously, we lost a great deal of talent, experience, and success through graduation last year. However, in all of the event groups we have very capable athletes who have been to the NCAA Championships or were on the verge of qualifying a year ago.

"I also feel we have some very talented newcomers who can help us right away. We have the potential to send another large group to the NCAA Championships and continue improving in the Pac-12 as well."

Fresh off a solid season in cross country, the Utah distance runners have turned their full attention to the track. Winterton qualified for the NCAA Cross Country Championships in November and will look to continue that momentum onto the track as she competes in the longer distance events. Alongside Winterton will be fellow junior Susannah Hurst who qualified for the NCAA West Preliminary in the 10-kilometer last year.

Junior Andrea Chavez will also compete as a distance runner, but will focus on the 800-meter and mile events. Chavez finished seventh at the Pac-12 Championships in 2013 and was a 2012 NCAA Preliminaries qualifier in the 800. The distance group will also be aided by the addition of five freshmen who all showcased a high level of talent during the cross country season.

"We have three distance student athletes returning with NCAA meet experience," Kepler said. "We will rely on them and hopefully a few of the other veterans can step up and continue to make strides in their direction."

Under the watch of assistant coach Burke Bockman, the sprints and hurdles group has continually improved during its time in the Pac-12. During the indoor season, Jolley will make her final appearance for the Utes. An NCAA qualifier, Jolley emerged as a top 400 hurdle athlete in the conference following a breakout junior year. Johnson will compete for the Utes during the outdoor season after gaining an extra year after redshirting. Her presence in the 400 and on relay teams will give experience to a young group.

Bockman will also rely on senior Rosalie Waller and junior Alexandria Eisenbeiss to play a big role in the group's success. Waller is a two-time qualifier for the NCAA Preliminaries in the 800 and Eisenbeiss also qualified in the event in 2013. Both have played crucial roles on relay teams that have posted historic marks in Utah's record books. The squad will also feature five incoming freshmen who Utah will look to have an immediate impact.

"This is a diverse group in regard to experience," Kepler commented. "Waller headlines this group. She is a two-time NCAA qualifier in the 800 meters and has been a Pac-12 scorer on two different occasions.

"Fifth-year seniors Jolley and Johnson will be counted on to provide leadership. We also look for freshmen Rhianna Williams, Alyssa Atisme and Christine Van Brocklin to make an immediate impact as well."

The jumps group features many new faces, including volunteer coach Jared Ocana. Senior pole vaulter Theresa Waybright will be the leader of the group. Alongside Waybright will be true freshmen Courtney Jost (high jump, long jump, triple jump) and Kayla Taulapapa (long jump, triple jump). With only one year of collegiate experience combined, the group shows promising talent heading into the indoor season.

"Fifth-year senior pole vaulter Theresa Waybright headlines this group," Kepler stated. "Freshman Courtney Jost is a three-event athlete, who should be able to adjust to this level quickly. The addition of sophomore Kailey Hansen, who was injury-plagued during the 2013 outdoor season, will also provide depth in the high jump group."

The throws group enters the season with the most experience led by the return of Aoife Hickey (weight throw, hammer throw) and Nikkie Rudder (hammer throw, shot put, discus). During the outdoor season last year, Hickey qualified for the European Championships in the hammer throw. Under the direction of assistant coach Tapio Kuusela, Hickey has developed and will look to make a splash in the weight throw during the indoor season.

Rudder also returns to the group after taking a redshirt season in 2013. At the 2012 Pac-12 Championships, Rudder earned seventh in the shot put.

The throws group will also be enhanced by the addition of freshmen Ilse Kaaja (hammer throw) and Kassie Nagel (shot put, discus).

"With top returner and NCAA qualifier Destanae Howerton-Davis redshirting, we will be counting on fifth-year senior Nikkie Rudder in the shot and discus," Kepler stated. "Redshirt junior and NCAA qualifier Aoife Hickey will look to continue her success in the hammer throw. Kaaja will provide depth and talent in the hammer as well. Another freshman, Nagel will be one to keep a close eye on in the shot and discus."

The Utah track and field team will get the indoor season underway on January 11, 2014 at the BYU Invitational. On April 11, 2014 the team will host its annual home Utah Spring Classic at the McCarthey Family Track and Field.