UMBC Track and Field Men's 2001 Outlook

Head Coach David Bobb enters his first season as the leader of the men's program, coaching some of the same ahtletes he competed with just two years ago.

"I have found that very beneficial," said UMBC's five-time All American. "They understand the respect that I have for the sport and how hard you have to work to acheive your goals as an athlete."

UMBC, which finished fourth in the NEC Outdoor Championships last spring, lost a number of big point producers from last year's team, but still has a number of athletes who will vie for conference titles and ICAAAA qualification. "If everyone is on and healthy, we will have a good team. The guys are dedicated and working hard. We don't have the same kind of depth we've had, so everyone has to step up."

Here is an event-by-event preview of the 2000 squad:

SPRINTS: The sprint contingent will be led by senior Aaron Johnson, junior Negasi Gerima (formerly Craig Thompson) and sophomores Jock Orr and Derek Anderson. Johnson placed second in the 100 meters at the NEC Championships, falling .03 seconds short of a title. Orr also earned points in the 100 meters, placing fifth and the two combined with Gerima and Max Clifford for a title in the 4 x 100 meter relay. In the 400 meters, seniors Amos Akasa and Jared Howard were both injured last season and this experience duo should give UMBC a strong 1-2 punch in the quarter mile. Howard holds the UMBC indoor record in the 400m at 49.64. Johnson and Orr can also run the 400, as will freshman David Nance.

MID-LONG DISTANCE: UMBC is not deep in the 800 meters, but has an outstanding competitor in senior Jonathan Briggs. Briggs placed a strong fourth in the 800 meters at the NEC Outdoor Championships last season. He will be backed up by juniors Eric Benjamin and Brian Wallace. In the 1500 meters, Benjamin, an All NEC and All ICAAAA cross country competitor this fall, is looking to improve upon a fifth place championship finish in this event in 99. Freshman Aaron Johnson, whose outstanding initial cross country was cut short due to a stress fracture, should be at full strength by the outdoor season and cross country mates Jake Klim and Mark McLarnon will also add depth at the mile. Klim, McLarnon, and sophomore Conrad Haber will lead promising UMBC freshman Philip Knowlton, Lloyd Dodge, Lance Byrd, and Ben Werbos in the 5000 and 10000 meters.

HURDLES: Gerima will compete in the hurdles events and the former state champion has the potential to be the top hurdler in the conference in both the 110 and intermediate hurdles. Newcomer Theo Demetriades will compete in the intermediate hurdles as well.

JUMPS: UMBC has an outstanding quartet which should produce well throughout the season. Senior long jumper Marc Haskins is a Retriever record holder (22'3.75, indoors) and captured the event at the NEC Outdoor Championships (23'1.75) last season. In the high jump, freshman Edward Warner, from Baton Rouge, LA, should be an excellent competitior, while classmate Huguens Jean is currently the squad's top triple jumper. Sophomore Derek Dye adds depth in all three events. Newcomer Leon Freudzon, from Hartford, CT, is the lone pole vaulter on this year's squad.

THROWS: The Retrievers have a pair of potential conference champions in the throwing events. Junior Mike Harte easily outdistanced the field in the javelin last season with a throw of 183'2" and he also earned points in the shot put. Classmate Balvin Brown owns the school mark in the discus and placed second in the championship meet last season. Brown will also compete in the hammer this spring.

"We have a high quality team, but we will need more of a supporting cast," said Bobb. "We should be able to bring in some high quality athletes for the future, but I think we're off to a good start in our first year."