M. Track runs for the crown

The Penn men's track team begins the indoor season hoping to regain the Ivy league title which it lost last year to Princeton. Coach Charlie Powell wasted no time in stating the team's goal for the season, which begins today at the Navy Invitational in Annapolis, Md. "Our goal is to win the Heptagonals," Powell said. The Quakers have the weapons needed to contend for the title. The team will be led by one of the country's best group of sprinters. "We have always had a good sprint team, " Powell said. "Our sprinters have been dominant in the Ivy League the past few years." At the top of the sprinters is junior co-captain Chris Harper. Last year, Harper won the Heptagonal 400 meters indoors and the 100 and 200 outdoors. Senior co-captain Kelsey Armstrong is also expected to place highly in the sprints. He was a finalist in the 500 at the Heps indoors and won the 400 outdoors. Junior Henry Addo and sophomore Greg Davis also expect strong performances this year. In the hurdles, Penn will be led by sophomore Carl Eklof, who placed third outdoors at the Heps last year in the 100 hurdles. Senior Mark Pan, considered a contender for the Heps title this year, may not be able to compete after being hit by a University truck two weeks ago. It would be a loss for the Quakers if his season is indeed over. The Quakers' main problem during the indoor season is the greater emphasis on distance and middle-distance events rather than on the sprints. "We have a good chance to win the Heps indoors, but a great chance to win outdoors," Powell said. "The indoor set-up adds to teams like Dartmouth and Princeton which are better in the distance events." Powell is confident his distance runners will be competitive this year. He added he is very comfortable with this year's group, whose performance will be very important to the team's success. Senior co-captains Joe Hall and Terry McLean head this year's distance group. McLean placed second in the 10,000 last year at the Heps outdoors. Powell is also counting on big seasons from senior Steve Malone, freshman Aaron McCommons, junior Jack McMullan, sophomore Neil Riordan and junior Kurt Sprowls. Penn's field team is expected to meet the high standards it has set in the past. The team is very strong in the pole vault, in which junior Greg Schroeder and sophomore Dan Short consistently vault more than 15 feet. Freshman John Linhart is also expected to contribute after winning the Texas state title last year. In the jumping events, Penn can count on juniors David Rechtweg and Aric Shalev to compete for the Heps title in the high jump. Sophomore Okinyi Ayungo and junior Randy Simmons will be the top competitors in the triple jump. Freshman Mike Stiffler is expected to make an impact in the long jump, in which he won the Colorado State title. Sophomore John Yu is expected to continue the success he enjoyed as Penn's freshman of the year. Powell believes Yu is the "guy that the league should look out for." Senior Clarence Hinton heads Penn's impressive lineup in the throwing events. "He can throw almost anything," Powell said. "He just missed nationals last year and he should make nationals this year." The throwers also include freshman Josh Deines, sophomore Lucas Deines, and sophomore Chris Ostentowski. The key meets for Penn this season will be against Navy and North Carolina State Jan. 14 and against Princeton Feb. 2. Penn looks to have a successful season. Whether or not it is a championship season could depend on the improved performances of the distance team.