The Moderator Blog

BY SCOTT MORRISON
sports@yankton.net

As the finishing touches are put onto the new Yankton High School track, coach Randy Fischer hopes the facility can usher in a new era for Mount Marty College Track & Field who will also be using the field.

“Yankton’s new track is one of the nicest tracks anywhere in the state of South Dakota. We are very excited to use it. It is a great deal for everyone who is involved,” Fischer said.

With the new track and a few new athletes, Coach Fischer and the Lancer team can now ready themselves for their oncoming outdoor season.

“Our team is looking forward to beginning the new season in hopes that some new things can materialize,” Fischer said.

With this in mind the Lancers already have a runner who has qualified for the NAIA National Meet.

After moving to the United States from Kenya just a few short months ago. Freshman Titus Cosgey qualified in the marathon race with a 1:13.23 run in the half marathon race.

“Titus has adjusted very well. He is making good progress and working very hard,” Fischer said.

Another Lancer standout is junior NAIA All-American Laura Wortmann.

Wortmann finished fourth at the NAIA Indoor National Meet in the shot put. She set a MMC record earlier this year with a throw of 47.8 ft.

Wortmann will throw both shot put and discuss during the outdoor season.

Another bright spot for the Lancers should be their 1600 meter relay team. This includes sophomore Carly Benson, senior Laura Condon, freshman Stephanie Schultz, and newcomer freshman Megan Nelson.

Nelson will participate in collegiate track for the first time in her collegiate career after finishing with the basketball season.

“Nelson will be one of our better legs. She’ll help us out with her talent and past experience,” Fischer said.

The relay team believes they can hit the 4:00 mark.

Fischer also expects junior Dan Sternhagen to be solid in the Javelin Throw. A throw over 200 feet will help get him into the national meet.

The Lancers have two quality pole vaulters including senior Melissa Cumbee and freshman Lindsey Bardwell. They should be able to use their competition in practice to translate into each meet.

Cumbee is a particularly exceptional story given her situation. Cumbee juggles raising a young child, attending nursing student, and participating in collegiate athletics all in the same breath.

“It is a challenge for Melissa, but she does a great job adjusting. She even brings her little girl to practice sometimes,” Fischer said.

Junior Megan O’Grady can provide the Lancers with a distance threat. She is the current MMC record holder in the 5K race and will look to improve on her mark throughout the outdoor
season.

“Our distance runners are making nice improvements and we hope they continue to work on it,” Fischer said.

Freshman Brandon Phizacklea should be ready to help the Lancers in sprinting events. Philacklea is coming off a solid indoor season, but may have difficulty getting healthy for the outdoor season.

Angela Kaiser, Janelle Oltmans, and Kayla Pavel should have a good shot in the weight events. Overall Fischer believes his team can do well.

“We will get better as the season continues. We hope we can run better when the weather gets nicer,” Fischer added.