The Misericordia University track and field teams will enter their fourth outdoor season under head coach Chris Wadas this spring.

The women will need to move on without their top two runners from past seasons. Sue Bochnovich, a 2009 MAC champion in the 100m and 200m, completed her eligibility after the indoor season while Ali Ostrum, a school record holder in the 1500m and 3000m, graduated in December.

With the return of three All-MAC performers, the Cougars are strong in the throwing events. Junior Shannon Kane was a MAC champion in the javelin and set school records in both the jav and discus last season. Sophomore Kate Usher finished seventh in the javelin, while sophomore Jessica Bealer was All-MAC in the shot put.

The MU women also feature a deep jumping team led by senior Robin Razawich (All-MAC in the high jump, long jump, and a member of Misericordia's 4x100 and 4x400 relay teams). Joining her will be a trio of freshmen who should score points- Jill Dunn, Kayla Attig and Rachel Rutkowski. Dunn shows great potential in the long jump and triple jump, while Rutkowski will contribute in the pole vault.

Debra Kortze (fifth in the 100m at MACs), Jenn Lozier and freshman Stephanie Grow lead the sprinting contingent while the distance group is spearheaded by junior Marcie Cusatis (fourth at MACs in the 800m) and freshmen Marina Orrson and Kelsey Cameron. Orrson has a chance to contend at MACs in either the 1500m or 5000m. Freshman Brianna Kramer could develop in the 800m.

The men's team is led by junior middle-distance runner Frank Redmond, a 2009 NCAA qualifier in the 800m. Redmond took third in the 800 and fifth in the 1500 at MACs last season. “We are hoping he can win the 800 at MACs and he could contend in the 1500 as well,” said Wadas.

Other key distance runners include junior Pat Blaskiewicz (who missed scoring at MACs in the 10,000 by four seconds) and steeplechasers Ryan Garges (the school record-holder) and Bill Cooney. Kyle Suponcic is in his second season and could be one to watch in the mid-distance events.

In addition to the steeplechase, the men have several good hurdlers including junior David Meyer, who took sixth in the 400 hurdles at MACs. Freshman Sean Ciborowski set an indoor school record in the 55 hurdles and should contribute outdoors in the 110 hurdles.

Steven Clemson returns as the team's top sprinter and long jumper. Artie Pupa placed in the hammer throw at MACs last season while freshman Joe Ardo will contribute in both throws and the 4x100 relay.

The outdoor season begins on March 26 at Widener, while the Larry Ellis Meet at Princeton is a big chance for potential ECAC qualifiers.

In addition, the teams will each send a 4x400 relay to the famous Penn Relays on April 22-23.

The Cougars host their annual Narkiewicz Invitational on April 30 before the season ends back where it began, at Widener for the MAC championships on May 6-7.