2006-07 season preview

Talented Returners, Added Depth Bode Well for 2007 Raiders

Head Coach Nate Wolf took over the helm of the Northwestern track and field program in 2005. With an eye on increasing the depth of both the men’s and women’s squads, the Raiders have steadily improved their performance in the conference race. The men’s team finished fifth at the outdoor championships last year while the women’s squad was seventh. “We made great progress in 2006,” said Wolf. “The men were just 1.5 points out of fourth place at the GPAC meet. The women performed at a high level last year but lacked the numbers to score in more events.”

The future looks bright for the Red Raiders as they return most everyone from ’06. Wolf expects seniors Robbie Cundy (Madison, S.D.), Nick Fynaardt (New Sharon, Iowa) and Andrew Ortmeier (Osmond, Neb.) to anchor the men’s team. Cundy’s specialty is the hurdle events while Fynaardt and Ortmeier lay claim on the throws. All three athletes are national qualifiers, and Fynaardt and Ortmeier are returning All-Americans. Additionally, seniors Bryce Becker (Swaledale, Iowa) and Daniel Lichter (Galva, Iowa) will add skill to the middle distance events while sophomore Dan Walhof (Edgerton, Minn.) will pace a young distance crew. Junior Michael Ortmeier (Osmond, Neb.) should score well in the decathlon and heptathlon.

A foursome of middle distance runners will be the nucleus of the women’s team. Seniors Kristen (Maakestad) Becker (Osage, Iowa) and Megan Harding (Newcastle, Neb.) along with juniors Laura Jacobson (Galva, Iowa) and Jessica Regan (Council Bluffs, Iowa), are all returning national qualifiers in the 4x400m relay. Wolf anticipates Jacobson will also compete for All-American status in the 600m run. Junior Amy Katsma (Boise, Idaho) is expected to be a force in the shot put.

A strength for the men’s team this year is the potential to place and score in every event. “Our throwers will definitely stand out,” said Wolf, “along with Cundy in the hurdles.” The women’s team is starting to achieve balance but will rely on the middle distance events to compete well. The hurdle events and the shot put should also be salty. “Our distance contingent is very young, but they will mature as the year progresses.” Complementing the returners is a host of freshmen on both the men’s and women’s teams. “We worked hard in the off-season to lessen the learning curve for the freshmen,” Wolf said. “They will add depth for us.”

Wolf characterizes his Raider squad as “hard working and mentally tough.” These are important components for a team if they are going to compete well in the Great Plains Athletic Conference as each school strives to perform at a high level. Aside from GPAC competition, NWC will test their mettle at the ISU Open during the indoor season and at the Sioux City Relays during the outdoor portion of their schedule.

“We have the potential to qualify 15-20 athletes for indoor nationals and 10-12 for outdoor,” Wolf said. Coach Wolf also expects a top five finish at both the indoor and outdoor conference meets. “We want to continue to build depth and to send our seniors out with a successful year.”

Northwestern track and field has a strong tradition. Over the years, more than 80 athletes have earned All-American status and 35 have been named NAIA Scholar-Athletes. “We have high quality athletes who think track and field is important. Our program is on the upswing,” Wolf said