~TRA(K away from the season with the hi1:hest NCAA finish in school history was the track team's final accomplishment for the year. With eight indoor and outdoor All-Americans, three academic All-Americans, two Gulf South Conference cross country champions and the lO,OOO-meter national champion on the team, the Bisons and Lady Bisons broke 19 school records in 2004. "I don't know if I expected the teams to break so many records," coach Steve Guymon said. "It's always a plus when you have people on your teams that can break two or three records on their own. I was very impressed by what we did." Among the team's All-Americans were seniors Janet Kogo and Jacob Rotich. Kogo and Rotich set three and two school records respectively.. and were co-recipients of Harding's Berryhill Athlete of the Year Award. Freshman Peter Kosgei was a surprise addition to the team. Placing nationally during the cross country and indoor track seasons, Kosgei remained competitive dUIing the outdoor season in the 3,000- and S,OOO-meter races. Kosgei broke an S-year-<>Id school record in the 5,000meter, posting a time of 14 minutes, 9.8 seconds. "It is unusual for freshmen to do this well, especially boys," Guymon said. "They usually take more time to develop athletically. Peter's talent was unbelievable." Along wi th the records set by Rcitich and Kosgei, the men's team set school records in the 200-and 400-meter races, the sprint medley and the hammer throw. "We had a lot of quality athletes on the men's team to start with, and with the football players adding to that, I thought we had a great chance to do really well during the season," Guymon said. The women's team added five records next to Kogo's. Records were broken in the 60-and 3.()OO-meter races, and the triple jump. The women's 4x400-meter relay team, consisting of freshmen Jessica Brown, Jessica Pingrey, Tessa Tarole and sophomore Abby Rodenbeck, set a school record with a time of 4:23.49 at the McDonald's Invitational in January. "The girls breaking the 4X400-meter record, all of Jacob's accomplishments, all of Janet's accomplishments, and the team's accomplishments were great," Guymon said. "We had some great highlights during OUI season." -SARAH CRIST 270 - ATHLETICS THE BISON TEAM Row 1: M. Brown, A. Rodenbeck, V. Echeverria, S. Reardon, J.lliown, laralaroie, J. Cornett, J. Kogo. Row 2: K. Szteyn, E. Harbour, H. Skclton, E. Baines, A. Bingman.!. ~ngrey, Tessa laroie, T. Branton, T. Harding 'J.MONTGOMERY
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