The Oberlin Men and Women’s track and field teams began their 2006 season in the sunny state of Georgia competing in the Emory Classic.

Reflecting on his team’s performances, Head Coach Jason Hudson said, “The spring break trip was a great way for the team to bond and for us to get some great warm weather training in. The team worked hard and had great performances at the Emory Classic. This trip sets the tone for the rest of the outdoor season. With the conference meet only five weeks away, every workout counts.”

In order to prepare for this event, the teams spent the week before the Classic training at Florida State University. First-year Ryan King said, “Florida was fantastic. The team trained very hard and prepared themselves mentally and physically for the season.”

This training provided both valuable competitive advantages to the teams as well as an opportunity for team growth through team bonding.

The Emory Classic was a two-day event that began on Friday, March 31. The Yeowomen came in ninth out of the 14 teams competing, while the Yeomen came in last.

On the first day, first-year Corey Squire led the men’s squad with a stellar performance. Squire competed in the steeplechase, the first of his career, coming in seventh out of 20 with a final time of 10:00.41.

On the Yeowomen’s end, the throwers competed in their first ever hammer throw event. Sophomore Steele Hearne finished sixth with a throw of 81’11’’, while teammate sophomore Katahdin Cook threw 71’1’’, landing her in seventh place.

Thinking about her performance in the hammer, Cook said, “The hammer is a new event to both the NCAC and to Oberlin. Friday was the first time we had ever thrown the hammer in a meet. We had accidentally been training with the men’s hammer (twice the weight of the women’s), so Friday was also our first day throwing the women’s hammer. It was a very different feel and completely new experience to us. We’re really excited about the addition of this new event and are looking to score some valuable points on both the men’s and women’s sides.”

On Saturday, April 1 the Yeomen stepped up their performance and tied for 13th place out of the 16 teams. The Yeowomen also did well, finishing up the Classic in ninth place out of the 18 competitors.

The highlight of the Yeowomen’s competition was first-year Flannery Cerbin’s performance in the 800 meter run. She ran this event in 2:18.93, a time good enough to securely place her in second. Cerbin also ran the 1500-meter, placing sixth with a time of 4:57.58.

The Yeomen were led by first-year Ryan King, who competed in the 1500-meter run and placed fifth with a time of 4:04.06. Reflecting on the race, King said, “As for me, this was my first 1500-meter race. I usually run the mile but they only have that event in indoor track. The race was a bit intense. There was a lot of elbowing in the beginning to get good position. I squeezed in comfortably towards the back and then gradually moved up. I’m pleased with the performance, and I am excited to improve.”

Both sophomore Andrew Pike and junior John Hepp also performed well for the Yeomen. Pike completed the 5000-meter in 16:29.96, placing him in fourth. Hepp competed in the shot put event, throwing 42-feet and coming in fifth.

Looking back on the meet, King said, “As a team, no victory is justified without self-discipline and sportsmanship. I saw my teammates participate with the utmost respect for Oberlin and the other athletes. It was amazing.”

Both track and field teams will be competing at the Mount Union Invitational next Saturday at 9 a.m.