Stevenson University’s 2016 outdoor track and field season is “off to the races”– literally. With positive outcomes at all their meets thus far, the men’s and women’s teams are expecting a successful season.
Not having a track at Stevenson University is not holding anyone back. The team is only four races into the season and the Mustangs has already set multiple school records, placed numerous times at various meets and show no sign of stopping.
The caliber of student athletes on the team makes head coach Erick Camodeca excited for the 2016 season.
Between the men’s and women’s team, there are more than 40 new runners. Camodeca was drawn to Stevenson because the potential for success is very different from anywhere he has ever coached before. “The room for growth here is really, really great and exciting,” he mentioned.
Sophomore Dakota Stern, a business information systems major, has started his first season as a runner at Stevenson. Stern is a mid-distance runner and enjoys the fact that he can see improvement in his skills.
“I would like to set a new personal record,” Stern said. He added that he enjoys outdoor track and field more than indoor because “the air isn’t as stuffy, plus it is nice to finally practice outside.”
Senior Dalonte Simpson, a computer forensics major, looks forward to this season, despite it being the end of his college running career. Simpson is a sprinter whose goal for the team this season is “to build a strong bond so the younger runners can feel confident and go as far as they can.” Simpson’s personal goal is for his 4×1 relay team to make it to nationals.
The team hopes to send a few runners to Middle Atlantic Conferences and the Eastern College Athletic Conference competition. Those runners could potentially qualify for nationals. Junior Devonte Williams, a criminal justice major, is a two-time state champion and Camodeca says Williams is definitely someone to watch.
Despite the lack of home meets, Camodeca hopes Stevenson students will show their support by attending meets closer to school and by recognizing the teams’ accomplishments.
