Junior Linus Chepkwony, freshman Dustin Knudsen and sophomore Scott Wietecha battle for position in the 1,500 meter race during a track meet at Harding's First Security Stadium. The three runners learned throughout the season that competition was not always just against the other team's runners. The 2001 season was one of discipline and focus for the men's and women's track teams. Although the team was loaded with talented distance runners and strong sprinters, this advantage was not what made them so victorious this season, according to coach Bryan Phillips. "Track takes more discipline than any other sport," he said. "It is an individual performance. There is no such thing as being physical; you do have to focus and do your part." The Bisons had many individual victories last season. In Warrensburg, Mo., junior Linus Chepkwony took third place with a time of 14:54.26 in the 5,000 meter. His exceptional time made him the first NCAA Provisional Qualifier for the men's team. Freshman Scott Wietecha finished fifth (15:26.63); junior Andrew Scharff, seventh (15:28.59); sophomore David Scharff,eighth (15:30.36); and junior Scott Penick, ninth (15:43.71). With these five in the top nine, the men's team conquered the race. In Des Moines, Iowa, freshman Jacob Rotich broke a long-standing Harding record and qualified for Nationals. In the first race of the season, Rotich ran the 10,000 meter and placed his name among the best in Bison track history. The Kenya native finished fifth at the Drake Relays with an outstanding time of 30:30.69. This time broke the 32-year-old Harding record of international track star Jim Crawford. In 1969, Crawford set the second-oldest track record recorded at Harding in the 10,000-meter at 30:50.7. Hanna Ritakallio, a junior from Finland, is also the record holder in several events for the Lady Bisons. Ritakallio set three All-American records. For indoor track, she holds the record for rwming the 800 meter dash in 2:12.05 and set the record 246 athletics for the one-mile run at 4:56.17. In outdoor track, she set the 800 meter at 2:10.35. Ritakallio also holds the record for the outdoor 1,500 meter, finishing in 4:34.08. Last season the Lady Bisons competed in a new event called the 3,000 meter steeple. Sophomore Sarah Reardon set the school record at 10.50.09. The internal victory continued for the track team. Nine Harding runners set season-best times at the University of TexasArlington Open. Chepkwony also won the 10,000 meter with a NCAA National Meet provisional qualifying time of 30:53.65 at the UT Arlington Open. Rotich also had a sturdy performance, finishing second in the 5,000 meter in 15:21.04. Junior Carl Williamson placed tenth in the race with a time of 17:08.48. -Donda Burright & Kira Leigh Photo by Daniel Du~ Freshman Errick Wilson sprints down the straightaway during the April 1Omeet at Harding.
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