BETHLEHEM, Pa. --- The Moravian College men's track and field indoor season begins this Saturday with high expectations. The return of 27 athletes on the 40 man roster and a first place preseason poll pick have the Greyhounds looking to capture their sixth consecutive title Landmark Conference Indoor Title.
Senior Chris Ossont will be looking to build off his past successes in his senior year after reaching ECAC last year in the triple jump. Junior All-America Ryan Karnopp is trying to on his top height in the pole vault at 4.88 meters (16 feet) and wants a return trip to the NCAA Championships in March. Sophomore Kahron Walker will look to build upon his standout rookie season that saw him named the Landmark Indoor Rookie of the Year and beat his 1.98 meter high jump.
"Kahron Walker and Chris Ossont will lead the way for us in the high jump and triple jump respectively," stated four year Head Coach Jesse Baumann. "Both should at least qualify for ECACs this year, and hopefully push for NCAAs as well. Kyle Hagerty is returning from a hamstring injury that all but ended his freshman season, but he's looking good in practice and is poised for a breakout in both of the horizontal jumps. Gavin Bailey and Geronimo Santana will add some great depth in the long jump as well."
Senior Parker Munson, competed at ECACs in the shot put after a qualifying mark of 14.61 meters (47 feet, 11 ¼ inches) and is looking to repeat in his senior year. Fellow senior Jeffrey Gallagher and sophomores Greg Cahill and Matt Jones all return this winter looking to improve their marks.
"Parker Munson bettered our school record in the shot put in an intrasquad meet we had a few weeks ago, so he's obviously looking great," commented Baumann. "Our depth is at least as strong as last year with Matt Jones, Jeff Gallagher, Greg Cahill, and the addition of Jack Lippin so we should be a very competitive group with the potential to send a few athletes to the ECACs."
Seniors Dillon Farrell and Alec Duncan both are coming off very successful falls on the cross country squad and looking to use their momentum this winter. Duncan earned Landmark Conference First Team honors for the fourth consecutive year as well as All-Region honors. Farrell also earned first team and All-Region honors and claimed the first All-America honor for men's cross country. They will be joined by sophomore Cory Taggert who posted a ECAC qualifying time last winter in the 800-meter run.
"Cory Taggert, Austin Stetler and Mike Kopach should form a strong crew in the middle distances and I think all have the potential of qualifying for the ECACs this winter," Baumann said. "All-American Dillon Farrell will lead the way in the long distances along with Alec Duncan. Newcomers Josh Toth and Robert Cahill will provide some quality depth predominantly in the long distances."
Sophomore Austin Gardener also earned a ECAC qualifying time in the 200-meter dash and hopes to build off his rookie year. Sophomore Matt Barnett took second place at the Landmark Championships last year in the 60-meter dash while junior Gavin Bailey took sixth in the 200-meter dash and junior Tyler Dwyer took sixth in the 400-meter dash.
"We had a lot of injuries to our sprinters towards the end of last year, but fortunately many are back and much better off than last year," stated Baumann. "Tyler Dwyer and Gavin Bailey are looking really good for the 400, and then we have a slew of talented athletes that could excel in the 100/200. Austin Gardener, Matt Barnett, and Eric Morton are just a few names that should help lead us in these events. Our depth, especially in the short sprints is as good as ever, though, so we'll have a lot of good contributors."
The Greyhounds open their winter season at Lehigh University for the Fast Times Before Finals meet on Saturday, December 6 at Rauch Fieldhouse.
