The EMU track and field teams begin their 2018-2019 season under a new coaching staff. Coaches Bob Hepler and Erick Camodeca have already made an impact, and are striving to improve the program in their first season with the Royals.
After 14 seasons at the University of Texas at Tyler, Hepler took the Head Cross Country and Track & Field Coach as well as Head Women’s Triathlon Coach position at EMU. Camodeca entered his first season as the Associate Cross Country and Track & Field Coach at EMU.
“There is great team chemistry between the core group from the indoor season and the additional athletes coming into the outdoor season. I am really excited with the results of early success from the beginning of this season. The athletes’ hard work is paying off, and I look forward to my first year coaching at EMU,” said Camodeca.
In addition, Joanna Friesen begins her second year as an Assistant Coach for Cross Country and Track & Field. “All of the coaches have finally brought some cohesiveness to this team,” said senior Laurie Serrell. “The scheduling, well-rounded training, and communication are all 10 times better now than they have been in other years of track and cross country.”
“The new coaching staff has really made a positive impact on this team,” said sophomore Justice Allen. “Since they have been here, the team has had their best running careers yet, and all of us are hitting great personal records.”
Athletic Director Dave King expressed his excitement about hiring these new coaches. “We are extremely fortunate to have these two coaches who have such a high success rate and desire to build the program,” King said. “Both of these coaches align with the values and mission of the university. They have proven their ability to recruit and train our athletes to compete at a high level.”
This team’s group of first-year collegiate athletes are leading the competition with top finishes. First-year Michaela Chowning has already achieved a personal record in the 400 meter dash with a career best of 1:00.30. “I am hoping to get a personal record in the high jump, as well,” she added.
With a small roster, the women’s team looks forward to encouraging one another while they continue to excel as a whole. “It stinks to see only one teammate in each race at the conference tournament, while other schools have at least three or four people competing,” Serrell said. “Even with small numbers, our goal is to become a stronger team that leaves an impact our competitors will remember.”
With high competition at each meet, many of her teammates are also receiving personal records and improving each week. Senior Derrick Chirinos beat his previous 5k race time by an entire six seconds, attaining a time of 17:29. First-year Charlie Thornton also achieved a personal record, cutting off 53 seconds and finishing the race with a time of 17:52.
Looking at his final season as a Royal, senior Derrick Chirinos said, “Being in my senior year, it’s honestly been kind of a mental and physical battle. But I am really enjoying the training I am receiving and I am happy to see that it is all paying off. I have high hopes for the end of this season.”
“For the team,” Allen said, “I want everyone to achieve the goals they set while still maintaining the love for the sport.” Moving forward, Hepler, Camodeca, and Friesen will continue to push the track and field team to achieve new personal records.
