It took Barry Bonds almost half a season to finally break the all-time home run record. It took the Binghamton University track and field teams one meet to break three school records at the Cornell Invitational track meet last season. Tomorrow the Bearcats return to Ithaca for the Cornell Relays at 10 a.m.
Two of last season’s record breakers, all-conference sprinters Kim Williams and Keisha Short, hope to start this year as well as they did last year. They aren’t the only ones that will be gauging themselves this weekend; between the men’s and women’s teams, there are 46 freshmen on the roster. Unlike many other sports, though, the freshmen will be an integral part of the team.
‘We should be in the top three in men and women ‘ it will really depend on how the freshmen do,’ said Binghamton’s men’s and women’s track and field head coach Mike Thompson.
Though the freshmen will have an impact, they won’t control the destiny of this team.
‘I expect our upperclassmen to do what they have always done,’ Thompson said, adding that they will score points. The meet this weekend is scored by team.
On the men’s side, All-American pole vaulter Rory Quiller will return for his last indoor season. While he is almost a lock to score points at every meet this year, Thompson said he won’t be the only one.
‘We have a really deep group of short and long sprinters,’ Thompson said.
As deep or good as the Bearcats men’s sprinters will be, the women will be looking to be off and running. The team didn’t lose anybody from its remarkable relay teams, and Thompson is confident that it will be even stronger than last year. Although the relay teams will be in the spotlight, individual sprinter Kim Williams will be looking to improve on her already stellar sophomore year. Williams, who was tops in the conference last year, will be looking to take her game to the next level.
‘She has a chance to make it to the national meet,’ Thompson said when asked about Williams’ potential. This would prove huge for Binghamton, as it would give the budding program both a male and a female representative.
The America East announced its preseason coaches’ poll yesterday, with Binghamton’s men’s team expected to finish fourth behind Albany, Boston University and New Hampshire. Albany received every first place vote.
The Binghamton women were also picked fourth, behind Boston University, Albany and New Hampshire. Boston was the overwhelming favorite, with second place Albany taking only two first place votes.
Find out how the Bearcats fared in Tuesday’s edition of Pipe Dream.