The NCAA News - News and Features

May 19, 1997

Division III

Tough foes await defending champs

Event: 1997 Division III Women's Outdoor Track and Field Championships.

Overview: Wisconsin-Oshkosh has been the team of the 1990s, claiming four titles and posting two runner-up showings in seven years. The two-time defending champions are vying for a record-tying third consecutive title (Christopher Newport won three straight championships from 1987 through 1989). The Titans easily can extend their reign, but a number of other teams also could win, including Christopher Newport (which claimed the 1997 indoor title), Wisconsin-La Crosse, College of New Jersey and St. Thomas (Minnesota). Wisconsin-Oshkosh is led by a slew of field-events standouts, including Missy Oleson (shot put, discus throw and hammer throw), Tara Jaeger (long jump and triple jump), Kerrie Main (long jump and triple jump) and Sherry Eckhardt (shot put) .... Christopher Newport, while it may not have as many competitors as Wisconsin-Oshkosh, certainly has the talent to compete for the crown. Seeking an unprecedented sixth championship, the Lady Captains are led by Bridgett Cochran, defending 100-meter hurdles champion; Leema Madden, who posted the top 100-meter dash qualifying mark through April 28; and Tamiko Patterson, who teams with Madden, Jennifer Gilmartin and Meshelay Robinson to form the squad's 400-meter relay, which posted the nation's top qualifying mark through April 28 .... Wisconsin-La Crosse also is looking for another victory and in the process to end a 12-year title drought. The Eagles won the 1983 and 1984 titles. Headlining the Eagles' squad are Amy Antczak (long jump), Patty Franckowiak (shot put, discus throw and hammer throw), and the 1,600-meter relay quartet of Misty Gorski, Danielle Docken, Antczak and Kelly Schoberg .... College of New Jersey looks for strong performances from Marianne Deregibus (400-meter dash and 800-meter run) and Cathy Miller (5,000- and 10,000-meter runs), while St. Thomas, which placed third in 1996, is led by Andrea Budig (100- and 200-meter dashes).

Field: A maximum of 331 student-athletes will qualify for the championships.

Dates and site: May 21-24 at Wisconsin-La Crosse.

Information/results: The fax-on-demand telephone number is 770/399-3060 (passcode 1915); request numbers are 1425 for dates/site/schedule, 5316 for qualifiers, 5317 for first-day results, 5318 for second-day results, 5319 for third-day results and 5321 for final results only. Championship results also will be available on the World Wide Web at www.ncaa.org. Results will be published in the June 2 issue of The NCAA News.