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Wheeling, W. Va. – Although the pandemic devastated the sports world last season, Wheeling University’s athletics teams for men and women stayed on track and were among the top programs at the Mountain East Conference. The men’s team finished second overall in the MEC championships, and the women won the MEC title for the third year in a row and had someone qualify for the NCAA Division II National Meet.
On the women’s side, the Cardinals have six MEC champions in their respective events, four of which are returning. Head of the group, is a senior Caroline Fodorwho was the 800 meter winner last season. Fodor already participated during the cross country season and would like to continue her success in the indoor track season. Fodor finished last year’s Outdoor Championships in 2:20.93 over 800 meters and hopes to build on that as the team heads into the 2021-2022 season.
The other returning top finisher for the Cardinals is in his sophomore year Isha Sesay, who was outdoor champion in the 100 meter hurdles in 2021. Sesay set a new personal best at the event, clocking 14.89 seconds to win the championship. It was a strong performance for the freshman to build on as she heads into her first full college competitive season. Second year Bre’ya Klopper also found its way into the top 5 at the event and finished fourth with a time of 15.09 seconds. The young duo gives Wheeling a strong core in case they can build on it.
One of the big losses for Wheeling, however, is the departure of the defending champion of the year Liz Fleming. Fleming qualified for the NCAA Division II Nationals last season, finishing 13th in the shot put. However, ascending in their place will be in their second year Princess love. Love showed a strong performance at the MEC championships and took first place in the shot put with a distance of 12.88 meters. Love wants to lead this year’s thrower group at the field events.
There was an MEC champion in the men’s race last season, with the 4×100 meter team setting a new MEC tournament record with 41.44 seconds. The team consisted of Julian Griffith, Jabez Reeves, Brian Vandusen, and Cameron Ferguson, and of those four runners, three will return this season. There is wheeling a strong core of sprinters who can help the Cardinals on the course.
One thing the boys’ team showed last season was resilience as they battled for second place in last year’s championship. The team started the last day of the competition in fifth place and was able to secure victory with three places. It was the track and field athletes who led the team to victory with multiple top 5 finishes on that final day as Wheeling prepared for success in the indoor season.
The incumbent MEC Co-Head Coach of the Year award winner is also returning to lead the group
Patrick Stanton. Stanton leads a group that has a healthy mix of newbies and seasoned returnees. Since both teams were placed so high last year, it is expected that both will be back in the thick of it and will again be one of the top programs at the Mountain East Conference in 2021-2022.
Wheeling University’s athletics teams for men and women open their 2021-2022 indoor season on Friday when they head out for the YSU Ice Breaker on the Youngstown State campus.
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