INDOOR TRACK & FIELD PREVIEW...
CLEVELAND, OH (January 16, 2008) - The Spartan Relays are swiftly approaching, and first-year head coach Steve Rubin has the Case Western Reserve University men's and women's track and field team ready to begin their quest for a University Athletic Association championship and more.
In four seasons prior to coming to University Circle , Rubin was the head track and field/cross country coach at Florida International University , where he led several Panthers to the Division-I NCAA Championships, including one national champion.
With that said, Rubin's ties in the UAA run deep, as the former Emory Eagle was the UAA champion in the triple-jump in 1990 and 1991, while he was also the head track and field coach at Washington University (Mo.) from 2001 through 2003. The Washington women's team won consecutive indoor and outdoor UAA championships [four total] under Rubin and the men won the UAA outdoor championship in 2003. Rubin's experience as UAA athlete and his knowledge of the conference as a coach will undoubtedly help the Spartans improve this season.
“I think in a competitive sense, the biggest challenge is going to be the lack of depth when facing teams that have more efficiency,” Rubin said. “Getting the people on board to where they are focused and working hard has been beautiful. The kids are out there because they want to be out there and love what they're doing.”
On the men's side, junior Dominic Smith enters his third season as a distance runner in track and field, having had an extremely successful season in cross country this past fall, making his first-ever trip to Nationals.
Returning for his senior campaign is Brandon Jeffries, who had four top-five finishes in the shot-put last season and three top-five finishes in the weight-throw.
“We have a lot of guys on the track side that are just on the edge of making that next step into the national realm,” Rubin said. “It's all going to depend on how well they prepare, how the season comes together, and if they stay healthy.”
On the women's side, it's all about the letter E, as senior distance runner and national All-American Esther Erb and junior All-American thrower Elizabeth Ehrke return for the Spartans this season and will play a key factor in the team's success.
“There's a bunch of girls coming over from cross country and they are ready to make the leap that Esther has made over the past few years,” Rubin said. “[Ehrke] had a tremendous fall and other than taking a few weeks for a foot injury, she's definitely ready to compete for a national championship and she may have found a few more events that she can be strong in.”
Overall, the men will have 27 new faces on the team this season, while the women have 10 newcomers on their squad this season. Rubin believes that every student-athlete, regardless of age, will have the opportunity to shine this season.
“In track, you don't have to sit and learn a system like other sports. If you've got it, you've got it and you can go out and compete right away,” Rubin said. “That's the beauty of this thing. Everyone has something that they can be working towards. Some people are trying to make the conference roster, some people are trying to make nationals, and some people have their eyes on winning an NCAA championship.”
As a team, the women finished fifth at the UAA Championships at Brandeis University , while the men posted a sixth place finish. This season, the Spartans get to host the UAA Championships, which will be held at the Veale Center on March 7-8.
“Hosting the indoor conference meet is a big advantage and something I'm definitely looking forward to,” Rubin said. “The main thing we're looking for when we go to our bigger competitions like our conference championships, big qualifiers, or nationals, is to be well prepared and on the money.”
The indoor season begins on Jan. 26 with the Spartan Relays. The meet begins at 10:00 a.m. in the Veale Center.
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