WASHINGTON, Pa. – The Washington & Jefferson College track & field programs opens the spring semester with competition Saturday, Jan. 14 at the Muskingum Invitational.

"Our women return many of our key contributors from last year," said head coach Derek Workman. "We had a really strong season last year, finishing third in the PAC indoors and outdoors. We haven't had both the indoor and outdoor teams finish in the top three at the PAC Meet since 2014. I expect our women to continue to be competitive within the conference."

2021-22 Season Review: The Presidents posted a strong performance during the indoor season, as the Red and Black finished in third place with 103 team points. That total put them just 8.5 points out of first place. W&J then matched that finish as they were third again in the team standings at the PAC outdoor championships.

Savannah Sevacko (Crafton, Pa./Carlynton) posted a pair of strong performances. Sevacko won the Triple Jump with her leap of 10.56 meters while. Sevacko then went on and placed second in the Long Jump with her leap of 5.10 meters.
Bre Trusler (Daisytown, Pa./California) won the 400 Meters by more than a second and a half, posting a time of 1:00.81.

Jadyn Hartner (Washington, Pa./Fort Cherry) finished in second in the Triple Jump with her mark of 10.06 meters. Hartner also placed fourth in the High Jump at 1.40 meters and sixth in the 60-Hurdles at 10.44 seconds.

Faith Remich placed second in the Mile clocking in a time of 5:22.26 and fifth in the 800 Meters (2:26.45).

Cassie Carr (Girard, Pa./Girard) finished in third place in the 3000 meters with her time of 10:50.32 and fourth in the 5000 Meters (19.44.47).

Anna Stroup (Port Royal, Pa./Juniata) finished third in the 60-Hurdles (9.60 seconds).

Hartner earned PAC Newcomers of the Year and PAC Sportsmanship honors for the second year in a row. 

Team Captains: Cassie Carr, Anna Stroup, Bre Trusler

"We have some really good leaders on this team that are always looking at the bigger picture," Workman stated. "They have already started to implement things outside of practice to continue to strengthen that bond within our team.  From a leadership standpoint, these three women are the unquestioned leaders, on and off the track."

Key Returners:

Sevacko leads a solid group of returners at the top for the Presidents. The junior took home the Triple Jump title at last year's PAC Indoor Championships and will look to defend her crown.
"Savannah is 5x All-PAC performer between the Long Jump and Triple Jump in her first two years here at W&J," Workman said. "As long as we are healthy and able to consistently train throughout the season, I expect she will be in a really good spot heading into our PAC Championship meets yet again."

During the past two outdoor seasons, Sevacko won the Triple Jump as a freshman before finishing as runner-up at PACs in 2022.

Hartner continued to excel last season. The junior picked up PAC Women's Newcomer of the Year during her initial indoor campaign with the Red and Black. Hartner will continue to be counted upon in 2023.

"Jadyn is our swiss army knife," Workman said. "She's a phenomenal athlete, and an even better human.  She always comes to practice smiling and ready to work hard! The value she brings to this team is immeasurable.  We're lucky to have her!"
Trusler will look to make her mark once again as she wraps up her W&J career this season. She will look to repeat as PAC indoor champion in the 400 Meters.  As a senior captain, Trusler also plays a key role in the Presidents 4x400 and Distance Medley relay squads.

"Bre is hard working, disciplined, and doesn't make excuses," Workman said. "She has always been a team player, which is why she has been named captain for the last couple of years.  Our hopes for Bre are that she continues to come to practice every day with a positive attitude, and works hard, so she can put herself in a position to be successful when it counts."

Trusler opened the 2022-23 season with a victory in the 500 Meters at the Case Western Reserve Holiday Classic on Dec. 3.

A pair of juniors, Carr and Stroup, have also been appointed captains after strong individual efforts during their sophomore seasons.

Carr finished third in the 3000 Meters and fourth in the 5000 Meters at last year's PAC indoor championships. During the outdoor season, Carr placed fourth in the 5000 Meters.

At the Case Western Reserve Holiday Classic on Dec. 3, Carr opened her indoor season by setting the school record in the 1000 Meters with a time of 3:12.24 to finish first. Carr added a second place finish in the Mile Run with a personal-best time of 5:15.59. The time in the Mile ranks second in program history.

Stroup opened with a strong effort at CWRU, as she posted a runner-up effort in the 60-meter hurdles with a time of 1:28.45. She looks to improve upon a third place effort in the event at last year's PAC indoors.

Ali Petrisek (Ellsworth, Pa./Bentworth) also returns for her senior season. Petrisek finished seventh in the 60-meter hurdles at 2022 PAC indoors. She also competed in the 4x400 relay and 400 Meters last season.

Newcomers: W&J has eight newcomers who enter the fold this season.

COACH QUOTE ON FIRST YEARS
Claire Anderson       Fr.       Distance                    Jamestown, Pa. / Jamestown       
Regan Carlson         Fr.       Sprints/Throws         Waynesburg, Pa. / Waynesburg Central
Maria Gilles               Fr.       Distance                    North Ridgeville, Ohio / Lake Ridge Academy    
Chloe LoCastro        Fr.       Distance                    Venetia, Pa. / Peters Township   
Morgan Pender        Fr.        Throws                        Saxonburg, Pa. / Knoch 
Sarahgrace Porter   Fr.       Throws                       Charleroi, Pa. / Charleroi   
Sarah Schneider     Fr.       Sprints/Jumps/Hurdles  Warren, Ohio / Lordstown 
Ava Taylor                 Fr.       Mid-Distance             Glenshaw, Pa. / Oakland Catholic

"We are excited about quite a few of our new additions to the program," Workman said. "I expect them to come in and turn some heads during the season. College isn't high school though, so the main thing we focus on is progression and consistency."
 
Looking at the Schedule: W&J will compete in nine indoor events this winter before things culminate at the PAC Indoor Championships on Feb. 23 at the Watts indoor facility at Youngstown State University.

Each of the indoor meets will take place in the state of Ohio. After opening up against Muskingum on Jan. 14, W&J heads to Otterbein (Jan. 21), Youngstown State (Jan. 27), Muskingum (Jan. 28), Denison (Feb. 4), the Spire Institute (Feb. 10-11) and Muskingum (Feb. 17). W&J will visit the NCAA Last Chance meet at Ohio Northern on March 3-4. The NCAA Indoor Championships are set for March 10-11 at the Birmingham CrossPlex in Alabama.

Final Word From Workman: "The PAC is continuing to get a lot stronger as we continue to add more and more teams.  The addition of Allegheny this year will definitely change the makeup of our championship meet from what it has been in year's past.  I'm excited to see how the season shakes out.  I'm looking forward to seeing this team continue to grow together and get better every week.  As coaches, it's our job to prepare them for the PAC meet, and keep them confident and healthy, the rest is up to them!  It should be a fun season!"