2010 Men's Track and Field Preview
Published: April 13, 2021
GREENVILLE, Ill. - In 2008 the Greenville College Track & Field program saw the departure of the school's first NCAA DIII National Champion with the graduation of 110 Hurdler Jarod Renford. How does a team overcome such a loss? Renford's training partner, junior Edgar Townsend, did it by bringing home a national championship of his own, setting a school record along the way.
As a team the Panthers put together yet another outstanding season, capped by a runner-up finish at the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) Indoor Championships and a 4th place finish at the NCCAA Outdoor Championships. Along with Townsend's individual championship in the 110 Hurdles, the men combined for 7 individual NCAA national qualifiers, as well as the 4x100 relay.
Townsend (St. Anne, IL / Kankakee) returns for his final season of competition in hopes of defending his 110H title after setting a new standard in the outdoor 110H (14.21). In addition to such accolades, he also earned All-American status during the indoor season with a 4th place finish at the NCAA DIII Indoor Track Championships.
The Panthers also return the rest of their NCAA national qualifiers. Heading the list of returning men is senior Mark Mitchell (Kansas City, MO / Ray South). Mark qualified for the outdoor championships in the 100m and 200m events with season best efforts of (10.59) and (21.49), respectively. He ended the season ranked 10th in the nation in the 200m and placed 10th in the 100. Mitchell was also a member of the 4x100m relay that qualified for the National Championships, as he teamed up with Townsend, sophomore Tyler Sarver (Cowden, IL / Cowden-Herrick), and freshman Brian White (Harvey, IL / Thorton Twp.) to turn in a season best effort of 41.71. Unfortunately, the quartet found themselves a mere .2 seconds from gaining entry into the championship field.
Junior Gio Sykes (East St. Louis, IL / East St. Louis), a national qualifier as a freshman, had another outstanding year as he captured the NCCAA indoor championship in the Triple Jump. This was on his way to an NCAA national qualifier in the event with a personal best jump of (46'1"). Injuries hampered his late-season outdoor efforts.
800m specialist Rodney Oyler (Macon, IL / Meridian) ran strong throughout the year as he led the mid-distance events. He posted victories at both the indoor and outdoor NCCAA Championships. He broke his own school record in the indoor 800m on his way to a national qualifying effort of 1:53.56 at the Iowa State Last Chance Meet in Ames, IA. Oyler best in the 800 outdoor is an impressive 1:51.63.
The 2010 season is a promising one for the Panthers as they return all six of the national qualifying athletes from last year's campaign. Additionally, these men will look to a strong crop of youngsters to garner team points for this spring's squad. Leading the charge will be sophomore Morr'queem Hobson (Springfield, IL / Lanphier). Morr'queem was a workhorse for the team in 2009, posting top 10 finishes at the NCCAA indoor championships in the LJ, TJ, and the 110HH. Brad Stewart (junior - Prophetstown, IL / Prophetstown) returns after being sidelined for most of last season due to a hamstring injury. He will seek to improve on his freshmen finish of 8th at the 2008 NCCAA Outdoor Championships in the Decathlon.
Rodney Oyler will have some company in the middle distance scoring by sophomore Coree Woltering (Ottawa, IL / Ottawa Twp.) who ran a personal best of 1:56.9 in the 800m last year. Coming off a promising cross country season that ended early with an injury he looks to continue to drop into the range of national qualifiers. Woltering's cross country teammate Cole Prins (Erie, IL / Erie) is also hoping for a breakthrough season. The fall saw him cut a full minute from his 8,000m personal best. He will now carry that momentum into his preparations as the team's top 5,000m runner on the track.
With a strong contingent of returning national qualifiers and school record holders, a wealth of invaluable experience, and a solid group of newcomers to contribute to the mix, the 2010 Greenville Panthers should once again make their presence know throughout the track season.
