Nov. 30, 2006

ANNAPOLIS, Md. - The Navy men's track & field team will open its 2006-07 season with the non-scoring Navy Invitational on Friday in Halsey Field House. Following the weight throw at 4 p.m. at Ingram Field, the track and remaining field events will commence at 5 p.m.

Joining the Midshipmen in the action on Friday are American, Coppin State, Delaware State, Georgetown, James Madison, Mount St. Mary's and VCU.

Following Friday's invitational, Navy's next competetion takes place on Jan. 6, 2007, when it will host Princeton in a dual-meet, beginning at 12 p.m. in Halsey Field House.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

4:00 p.m.  35-lb. Weight Throw (Ingram Field)5:00 p.m.  Long Jump           Pole Vault           Shot Put (follows Weight Throw)           Triple Jump (follows Long Jump)           High Jump (follows Shot Put)           5,000-meter Run5:40 p.m.  55-meter Hurdles (Trials)5:55 p.m.  55-meter Dash (Trials)6:10 p.m.  Distance Medley Relay6:25 p.m.  55-meter Hurdles (Finals)6:35 p.m.  Mile Run6:45 p.m.  400-meter Dash7:10 p.m.  55-meter Dash (Finals)7:20 p.m.  800-meter Run7:35 p.m.  3,000-meter Run7:55 p.m.  200-meter Dash8:10 p.m.  4x800-meter Relay8:20 p.m.  4x400-meter Relay

2006-07 SEASON PREVIEW

Overall Comments

"Last year, we were able to accomplish most of the goals we set for ourselves heading into the season," stated Navy head coach Stephen Cooksey. "However, we had some injuries to key athletes that kept us from finishing the year on as high a note as we expected.

"This year, our team is comprised of many returning lettermen and is also comprised of a larger group of talented and experienced upperclassmen. We are not quite as deep in some of the events, but we have significant talent at the top of all events."

Newcomers

"The majority of our freshman class will begin to add depth in most of our event areas," said Cooksey. "Most of them will probably need this first season to adjust and mature into Division I competitive collegiate athletes. Most of them are still just a year away from being impact members, those that will score near the top of several events."

Sprints/Hurdles

Returners (Career-Best Times)                    55  100 200 400 55 h    110 h   400 hRon Belany           --- --- --- --- 7.95    15.21   ---Reggie Campbell         6.53    10.82   --- --- --- --- ---Trey Hines           6.55    10.76   21.64   --- --- --- ---Michael Levinson   --- --- 22.59   49.65   --- --- 54.91Cameron Lindsay     --- --- 22.22   48.81   --- --- ---Joe Mills             --- --- --- --- --- --- 55.60William Ricks             --- --- 22.36   47.44   --- --- ---James Thompson           --- --- 23.46   49.98   --- --- ---Jason Tomlinson         6.64    11.40   23.29   --- --- --- ---Brandon Vier           6.55    11.04   22.70   --- --- --- ---Shun White           6.55    11.06   22.47   --- --- --- ---NewcomersVince Carpentier   Branchburg, N.J. / SomervilleAdam Crawford             Brackenridge, Pa. / HighlandsBen Fasseel         Hampton, Va. / KecoughtanSteve Gardner         East St. Louis, Ill. / East St. LouisMatthew Hanley           Rapid City, S.D. / StevensP.J. Picache         Upper Saddle River, N.J. / Northern Highlands RegionalBill Stillman         Norfolk, Mass. / Xaverian Brothers

"The thing we are looking for most in the sprints is to have the football players that have helped us in the past year or two, which includes Reggie Campbell, Trey Hines, Jason Tomlinson and Shun White," said Cooksey. "Brandon Vier is another quality guy that will be a big help with our core of short sprinters.

"In the hurdles, it's pretty much a cast of newcomers with the exception of Ron Belany, who really came on strong last year. Newcomers Matthew Hanley and P.J. Picache are some pretty good hurdlers coming out of high school, but they have to make the transition to the collegiate level this season.

"We are looking for William Ricks to return to his freshman year form in the long sprints this season. We felt that he had a little bit of a down year as a sophomore last season, but has looked good on the track this fall. Cameron Lindsay is an excellent team captain and is working extremely hard and will consistently score points in the long sprints again this year."

Middle Distance

Returners (Career-Best Times)                    400 500 800 1,000   1,500   MileLucas Burke         --- --- 1:53.70 2:28.83 3:56.19 ---Paul Harris         48.57   1:02.10 1:48.67 --- --- ---Ben Kozy           --- --- 1:57.58 2:25.13 3:52.49 4:09.25Craig Meekins         50.58   1:05.54 1:50.95 --- --- ---Jason Perocho         --- --- 1:57.91 2:37.14 --- ---Jeff Sarchione           --- --- 2:01.40 2:28.13 3:52.71 4:16.04

"Paul Harris came on very well last season," said Cooksey. "During our time trials in the fall, he was incredible. He ran the 600-yard run in 1:10.6, which ranks as the third-fastest time in school history. As long as he is able to continue training and racing, he's going to be our key person in the middle distance.

"In addition to Harris, we have a lot of depth in this area. Craig Meekins was a shade better than Harris during the indoor slate last season and is looking strong. Lucas Burke, Jeff Sarchione, Ben Kozy and Jason Perocho are really going to give us some big help."

Distance

Returners (Career-Best Times)                    1,500   Mile    3,000   5,000    10,000   3,000 st.Jonathan Bach         --- 4:29.91 8:56.41 ---  ---      9:35.44Adam Craig           --- 4:20.66 8:32.94 14:33.33 ---      ---Andrew Grant           3:57.44 4:22.73 8:41.63 14:46.31 31:48.44 ---John Kress           --- 4:26.69 8:41.62 14:47.91 ---      ---Matthew Leyndyke   --- --- 9:10.40 ---  ---      ---Michael Niemi         4:06.51 4:19.32 8:41.64 15:09.55 ---      9:08.07John Olsen           --- 4:17.90 8:35.18 14:49.07 ---      9:18.96Steve Porter           --- --- 9:02.49 ---  ---      ---William Prom           --- --- 9:02.90 15:13.05 ---      ---NewcomersPatrick Cooper           Portage, Mich. / Portage NorthernMatlack Gillin           Oreland, Pa. / Springfield TownshipRicky Griffith           Piedmont, Calif. / PiedmontChris Horel         Belford, N.J. / Christian Brothers Academy

"Michael Niemi, who made it to the NCAA East Region Championship last year in the 3,000-meter steeplechase, looks to be one of our top distance runners this season," commented Cooksey. "John Kress has had an incredible cross country season and could as big or a bigger contributor this year in track.

"John Olsen can be counted on for some quality scoring, while Andrew Grant is a talented runner and could be the other piece to the puzzle. Newcomer Chris Horel has had a tremendous cross country season for a freshman who are looking to possibly step up and make an immediate impact."

Jumps/Pole Vault

Returners (Career-Best Marks)                    LJ    TJ        HJ        PVRon Belany           22'1-3/4" ---       5'10-3/4" 14'11"Kraegen Bramer           ---   ---       ---       14'5-1/2"Gerald Brooks         20'1"     43'8-3/4" ---       ---Bo Fisher         ---   ---       ---       15'9"Cole Herron         ---   42'1-1/2" 6'9-3/4"  ---Jasen Lee         19'9-1/2" 44'0"     ---       ---Cameron Lindsay         ---   45'2-1/2" ---       ---Dante Marshall           23'3/4"   49'1/4"   ---       ---Kelly Stephens           ---   ---       ---       16'3/4"Jud Thomas           ---   ---       ---       14'1-1/4"Jason Tomlinson         19'2-1/2" 40'9-1/2" ---       ---Stephen White         21'1/2"   ---       7'1/4"    ---NewcomersBrandon Brown         Orlando, Fla. / William R. BooneBill Stillman         Norfolk, Mass. / Xaverian Brothers

"This is Kelly Stephens' year to shine in the pole vault," stated Cooksey. "He came in from high school at 16', has knocked it around at that mark and now it's time for him to step it up and I think he will. Bo Fisher is a quality guy in the pole vault that struggled with an injury during most of last season. Ron Belany, as an all-around event competitor, could jump up with the other two this year.

"In the high jump, our two seniors, Stephen White and Cole Herron, will easily give us what we need in the high jump. Freshman Bill Stillman complements that group, as he cleared 6'7" during his high school career.

"We are looking at Dante Marshall as our leader in the long and triple jumps. Belany will be in to compete in th long jump, but we really have to work to have some other guys step up and provide some quality depth in both of those events."

Throws

Returners (Career-Best Marks)                    SP    WT      DT       HT       JTAndre Barber           48'4-1/2" ---     159'8"   ---      ---Darryl Hunter         55'4-3/4" 42'6"   162'10"  ---      ---Bo Lawson         ---   ---     118'10"  ---      200'6"William Marple           ---   ---     ---      ---      178'0"Joshua Schatz         ---   ---     ---      ---      176'11"Nate Stein           46'3-1/2" ---     ---      108'2"   ---NewcomersTyrell Arment         Wamblee, S.D. / KadokaTim Gruber           Grove City, Pa. / Grove City AreaMark Van Orden            Morris Plains, N.J. / Delbarton SchoolMichael Wright           Arlington Heights, Ill. / Rolling Meadows

"Darryl Hunter has had a great fall season and we are looking for him to improve quite a bit for his junior campaign," Cooksey stated. "He was a little down last year in comparison to his tremendous rookie season. Thus far in the fall, he has showed great excitement, trained hard and focused on what he needs to do in the shot put and discus.

"I think Andre Barber and Hunter will be close in the discus. Andre favors the discus, but Darryl is easily right there with him, which gives us some depth in that event with newcomers Tyrell Arment and Michael Wright.

"We have a pretty good group in the javelin, highlighted by returner Bo Lawson. He went down a little bit when stacked up with his freshman year, but it was not due to a lack of training. He is one of the hardest workers on the team and I think he will be back throwing over 200' this spring. William Marple, Joshua Schatz and freshman Tim Gruber will provide the support that we will need to succeed in that event."