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CARLISLE, PA -- The Haverford College men’s and women’s track teams will be looking to defend their Centennial Conference Indoor Track & Field titles this weekend at Dickinson’s Kline Life Sports Center. The Ford men have captured all but one men’s team championship since the inception of the Conference in 1994. The Ford women snapped Dickinson’ five-year reign as champions last season, winning their first title, holding off second-place Gettysburg, 149.5-136. The Haverford men are seeking their sixth straight title, and 11th overall. The ‘Fords claimed the first five championships, before Franklin & Marshall snapped the streak in 1999. Haverford has traditionally dominated the distance events and hold the top times in all but one event over 400 meters this season. It has the top seven times in the 3000 meters, and the top six times in both the 5000 meters and the mile this winter. Sophomore Ian Ramsey-North has posted the fastest times in the mile and 3000 meters, while junior Will McGuire, who also won the 2004 individual cross country title, leads the pack in the 5,000 meters. McDaniel’s Broderick Maybank has top marks in the 55 meters, long jump and triple jump. Maybank won the long jump in both 2003 and 2004, and is the defending champion in the triple. He placed second in the 55 meters last season as well, earning Outstanding Field Performer honors. Dickinson’s Dave Rodbart has the fastest time in the 55-meter hurdles this year. He will be challenged by defending champion Thy Nguyen of Haverford. Other returning champions include Haverford’s Eddie Papalia in the 800 meters and Tom Reynolds in the shot put. Sophomores Matt Liebal of Dickinson and Jarrett Smith of McDaniel return to defend titles in the 5000 meters and the high jump, respectively. The Haverford women won their first indoor title in 2004 after finishing second the two previous years. Sophomore Aislinn Sowash will look to lead the ‘Fords again this season as a defending champion in the 55 meters, 55 meter hurdles, and the 4x200 relay. Sowash also earned silver in the 4x400 relay. Muhlenberg’s Jacqui Inverso is the defending champion in the high and triple jumps, earning Outstanding Female Field Performer honors in 2004. Inverso posted the top distance in the triple this season, and is among the leaders in the high and long jump events. Dickinson junior Emily Hulme has top times this season in the 1500 and 5000, and the second fastest mark in the 3000. Gettysburg has a pair of defending champions in junior Lauren Parker and senior Cheron Walker in the 200 meters and the long jump, respectively. Parker has the top time in the 55 meters and the 200. Walker, who also won the long jump in 2003, has the second-best jump in the Conference this season. Johns Hopkins senior Andrea King brings the best throw of the year to this weekend’s championships as she seeks a second straight title in the shot put. Swarthmore’s Sarah Hobbs looks to contend in a number of distance events. She has the CC’s best time in the 3000, and ranks high in the 800 meters, mile and 5000. Muhlenberg’s Danielle Seiler and Jenna Belisonzi will be in position to score points for the Mules in sprints and long distance events while Bryn Mawr’s Joanna Simonis is favored in the 800 and the mile. Libby Haas (Wrightsville, PA/Eastern) of Franklin & Marshall has set the bar in the high jump and will challenge for a top spot in the 400 meters as well. This marks the 12th Annual Centennial Conference Indoor Track & Field Championships. The Haverford men have captured 10 team titles with Franklin & Marshall claiming the title in 1999. Dickinson owns six team titles while Swarthmore and Gettysburg have each won two, and Haverford its first last season.
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