The Misericordia University track teams will transition from indoor to outdoor season with their first meet at the Widener Invitational.

 

The women's team carries high expectations with a growing level of experience on its roster. Susan Bochnovich enters the season a top sprinter for the Cougars. Bochnovich holds outdoor school records in the 100-meter dash (12.85), the 200 (26.23) and the 400 (59.94). She is a top seed runner in the 200, 400 and 4x200 relay this spring.

 

Ali Ostrum and Marcie Cusatis return as the team's other top runners. Ostrum set school records in the 800 (2:21.23) and mile (5:19.59) a year ago. She'll primarily race in the mile and 5000 this season. Ostrum also finished fifth and set the 3000 record at the winter ECACs (10:34.87). Cusatis will run the mile and 800.

 

“Anything less than a top three finish at this year's MAC championships would disappoint this team,” head coach Chris Wadas said. “Everyone wants to win it all, but we're realistic. We have good athletes, and other teams might not know what we're bringing.”

 

Robin Razawich returns in field events, including the long and high jumps, and Stephanie Pellegrino returns as a hurdler. Both women will showcase their speed as part of the Cougars' relay squads. Razawich, Pellegrino Bochnovich and former teammate Jen Lozier set a school record in the 4x100 relay (50.88) last season.

 

Freshman Jessica Bealer is projected as a high seed in the shot put. She's one of 10 freshman on the women's team.

 

The men's features distance runner Frank Redmond, pole vaulters Frank Castrignano and Vitaliy Doboni, and long jumper Steve Clemson.

 

“Those four are going to try to take the brunt of the points for this team,” Wadas said. “We're going to score points where we know we can score points.”

 

Redmond set the school record in the 800 (1:55.05) last season. He'll run the 800 and mile this season. He's shaved two seconds off his 800 time, and by cutting another second, Wadas said Redmond will easily qualify for the ECACs this season. He finished sixth in the winter ECACs in the 800 (1:54.95).

 

“There are things he's doing to race faster,” Wadas said. “He's not passing on turns, and he's keeping himself fresh for the final 300 meters.”

 

Doboni set a new school mark in pole vaulting (12'6”) last season.

 

The team's biggest loss is former NCAA qualifier Eric Rogers. Rogers set the record in the long jump last season. Dan Warakomski is expected to help fill Rogers' shoes this season, and there are seven freshmen waiting to find roles with the team.

 

“We're still building, but our teams are getting faster and stronger,” Wadas said.

 

The Widener Invitational, held March 27, is the first of seven regular season meets in which the Cougars will compete. They host the sixth annual "Narkiewicz Invitational," in honor of former assistant coach Ed Narkiewicz, on April 8.