Panther's plan to add distance between other MCC teams.

MILWAUKEE - Even though UWM had one of its best years last year finishing first for the men and women in the indoor and outdoor MCC Championships, Coach Pete Corfeld expects his team to add distance between the Panthers and the other teams in the MCC. "We are stronger than the rest of our conference," said Corfeld. "We should compete strongly with the other MCC schools."

SCHEDULE: This years schedule is very similar to 1998's schedules. "This year's schedule has leveled off." Said Corfeld, "We see good competition every week." This year, the Panthers will be helped by one fact that the indoor schedule includes three home meets this year, including the MCC Championship

REPEAT: For the men, "I definitely see it happening", said Assistant Coach Dave Rubino. "We only lost a few seniors, and for the seniors that we lost, we seem to have strong freshmen crew to fill in the gap." Last season, the men won the outdoor championships with 107 1/2 points. The second place finisher was Detroit with 47 1/2 points. "I don't expect to see a lot of problems with finishing at the top again," said Corfeld. "We are much stronger than any other conference team. I plan to win by double again this year."

On the women's side, Rubino summed it up by saying, "This is the most solid women's team at UWM since I've been here. We over came the goal of being second and now we are trying to increase the distance between the teams," said Corfeld. The women last year won first place at the conference outdoor championships with a total of 69 points, Butler was second with 68 points.

MCC TEAMS: This season's results are also going to depend on what the other teams in the conference did in the recruiting season. While several of the MCC schools are strong in one or two events, UWM looks to have a good combination of all the events. "To make a good track and field team you need sprints, field athletes, and distance runners," said Corfeld. "I'm confident we have all the right elements in place this year."

"On the women's side, Butler has a solid distance team with good sprinters/jumpers as well, Detroit has a good mix, but lost several of their key athletics due to graduation," said Rubino. "Loyola, as well as Butler, have a great distance team." The women -as do the men- have a solid grasp on field, distance and sprint athletes that should be top contenders, depending on what the other MCC schools have done in their off season.

PETERSON'S LAST SEASON: Cory Peterson (Ogdensburg, Wis.-Manawa) is only eligible in the outdoor events this year. Peterson has qualified for the NCAA's his last three seasons as a UWM athlete. Peterson has been called the 'spark plug' of the team by Corfeld.

"Cory will be a vital loss to us," said Rubino. "You only get one Cory Peterson in a program like this." Peterson has done several things while at UWM that very few athletes have done. "Cory has boosted the program, helped recruiting, became successful at the highest level, and has motivated others to do their best and then some," said Corfeld. "Cory is the type of athlete that when he runs, most every around stops and watches this athlete shine. Because this is Peterson's last season of eligibility, it is natural to begin thinking of the 2000 season. Corfeld believes this will be the year to see who will step up and try to fill these vital shoes next season. "A lot of our athletes this year have the ability to step up," stated Corfeld. "It really depends on how this year goes for them," added Rubino.

KEY ATHLETES:

- Men's Sprinters

Bert Rodgers (Janesville, Wis.-Parker) is going to be strong in the 200m and 400m as well as Ben Brikowski (Janesville, Wis.-Parker) should also be strong in the 200m and 400m who looks to be another top competitor in these events.

- Women's Sprinters

Chrissy Baker (Greenfield Wis.-Whitnall) is part of a freshman class that shows that it is ready to compete in the MCC. Nicole Wee (Soldiers Grove, Wis. -North Crawford) is a transfer student who shows great speed and could possibly threaten records in the 55m, 100m, and the 200m.

- Men's Distance

Cory Peterson (Ogdensburg, Wis.-Manawa) is the distance runner that sets the pace for the rest of the runners. He has run under 1:50 in the 800m in 14 different races. Marshall Finnegan (West Allis,-Central) is a part of the men's freshman crew that could threaten some records in the future. Kevin Kriedge (Menomonee Falls, Wis.-Menomonee Falls) is a senior who has been improving every year. Kriedge should do well in the 400m and 800m. Steve Sawyer (Wisconsin Rapids, Wis.-Lincoln) is another senior this year and, as long as he stays healthy, he also should be able to set some school records.

- Women's Distance

Dot Bunnell (Hilbert, Wis.-Hilbert) was one of the best athletes for UWM last season. She is a big meet competitor. Expect her to make a mark in the record books since this is her last season. Emily Hauer (Whitefish Bay, Wis.-Dominican) is predicted by Corfeld to have a big final senior year. She had a great cross country season this year and that should carry over into track. Rounding out the distance runners is a strong freshman class. Ann Lewis (Wausau, Wis.-East) had a great cross country season this year leading the team in virtually every meet this fall. Liz Pesch (Brownsville, Wis.-St. MaryUs Springs) is another freshman who should also have a big year in the 800m. Finally, freshman Leah Van Roy (Kimberly, Wis.-Kimberly) is another runner that had a great cross country season this year, as well, should be a top contributor in the distance events.

- Men's Field and Decathlon

Paul McGinley (Wisconsin Rapids, Wis.-Wisconsin Rapids) should be a reliable performer for the Panthers, carrying the team when they need it. "Paul is the type of athlete that can win two or three events each meet," said Corfeld. McGinley is focusing on the decathlon and hurdle events this year, and already holds school records in the javelin and the decathlon.

- Women's Field and Hepthalon

In addition to being part of the sprint team, Nicole Wee is also part of the hepthalon team this year and could break the school record in this event. Andrea Thibaudeau (Green Bay, Wis.-West) is part of the freshman class that looks to make some noise this year by breaking records in triple and long jump. She could also break several hurdle records this season. Amy Sawyer (Wisconsin Rapids, Wis. -Wisconsin Rapids) should be a great competitor in the 100m and 400m hurdles with Kenya Moore (Shorewood, Wis.-Shorewood) looking to compete well at the long and triple jump.