St. Joe's Track 2012

The 2012 Outdoor Track & Field season is already upon us. Matt Hellerer is once again at the helm of his athletes leading the charge. The team suffered a big loss this offseason, with the departure of the top seniors including Schnitter's consistent 3200m, Courtney's 1600m force, and Rizzo's 800m domination.
Although the likelihood of a repeat league championship is unlikely, this team does show a lot of promise for the future and will definitely be a threat to opponents in the coming years.

In different areas, there are athletes to face that have stepped up for the challenge. In distance, the powerhouse of Connor Tumiel leading the team in the 1600m (fresh of a pneumothorax). In a recent interview with the young Tumiel, he stated that he feels fresh and is on the hunt for blood, sweat, and tears from his competitors. He also stated that a challenge tastes that much better when he smokes them down the stretch.
You've also got Cornell Overfield in the 3200m. He's got a strong chance to be the first sophomore the break 10:30 in the 2 mile since Quin O'Connor in 2010 (9:57).

The team is still searching for candidates to lead the all important 4x800 relay. Even though last year's 4x800 team dominated, not only the MMAA but, all of WNY with a section 6 leading time of 8:15:54- this year's team is searching for the potential to retake the crown that the veterans left behind.

In mid-distance, there is a lot of potential. Justin Benzino, who has been fighting injury, is about ready to explode in the 800m. Joey Goergen is ready to run any race at any moment and is on the verge of a great 400m.

Now over to sprints. With the tag-team of Matt Dow & Izeal Bullock, as well as new comers Lawrence Williams and Cordell Owens, it should be and interesting season.

The biggest celebrity to walk the halls of St. Joe's currently, other than Chad Kelly, is no other than Dominik Kozar (a junior at SJCI). A Czech Republic native, and fresh off a World Junior Championship U16 in the Discus, he made his way to America and to St. Joe's. His debut was in September as a member of the St. Joe's football team. Then he stepped on to the indoor track and field surface, and you instantly knew that's where he belongs. He finished his first indoor season at St. Joe's with a NY State title (the first in St. Joe's history) as well as an appearance at the National meet in NYC- a feat that no other St. Joe's athlete has accomplished prior.
As well, at the first meet of the outdoor season, Dominik rewrote the record books setting a new record in the discus with a throw of over 173 feet!

With all of this young up-and-coming talent, success for this club is inevitable.