Milwaukee, Youngstown State Crowned at #HLTF Championships

2014 Horizon League Indoor Track & Field Championships | Final Results

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio— The Youngstown State Penguins won the 2014 Horizon League Women’s Indoor Track & Field Championship while the Milwaukee Panthers won the Horizon League Men’s Indoor Track & Field Championship this weekend. For their efforts, winning head coaches Brian Gorby and Pete Corfeld garnered Horizon League Coach of the Year honors.

The men’s championship came down to the very last event, 4x400 relay, with Milwaukee leading Youngstown State by five points. During the race, a Youngstown State runner was disqualified for a lane violation. Milwaukee went on to win the event and take the overall championship.

The Panthers scored 158 points, followed by Youngstown State (143) and Oakland (81). On the women's side, Youngstown State scored 314 points to take the title over Milwaukee (234) and Detroit (142).

The last championship for the Penguins came in 2008 while the Panthers have won nine of the last 10 men’s championships. In 2013, Loyola stopped Milwaukee from winning its 10th straight League championship.

For their efforts throughout the season, Bobby Grace of Youngstown State and Simbi Laaro of Milwaukee were named Horizon League Athletes of the Year. Grace set the Horizon League record in the shot put (19.62m) and entered the championship eighth in the nation. Laaro set a League and WATTS facility record in the 60m dash with a time of 7.41 and entered the championship top 25 in the nation.

Youngstown State’s Eric Rupe was named men’s high point-scorer of the championship as he won the 3,000 and 5,000 runs. Rupe was the champion at last fall’s Horizon League Cross Country Championship. Sherice Hewett of Milwaukee was the women’s high point-scorer after taking first in the triple jump and second in both the 60 meter hurdles and long jump.

Nicholas Girodat of Oakland was named track freshman of the year while William Royal of Youngstown State was named field freshman of the year. Royal was joined by teammates McKinsie Klim and Nicole Waibel who were named track freshman of the year and field freshman of the year, respectively.

Other individual awards went to Dexter Schleis of Milwaukee (most outstanding track performer) and Grace (most outstanding field performer). On the women’s side, Louisa Coppola was named most outstanding track performer while Valparaiso’s Sarah Drozdowski was named most outstanding field performer

The Horizon League Outdoor Track and Field Championships will take place May 2-4 in Youngstown, Ohio, hosted by Youngstown State.

Men’s Team Standings
1 Milwaukee 158
2 Youngstown State 143
3 Oakland 81
4 UIC 63
5 Detroit 51
6 Valparaiso 30

Women’s Team Standings
1 Youngstown State 171
2 Detroit 91
3 Milwaukee 76
4 UIC 62
5 Valparaiso 46
6 Wright State 42
7 Oakland 39

Horizon League Athlete of the Year: Bobby Grace, Youngstown State
Horizon League Men's Track Freshman of the Year:  Nicholas Girodat, Oakland
Horizon League Men's Field Freshman of the Year: William Royal, Youngstown State
Horizon League Most Outstanding Performer (Men's Track): Dexter Schleis, Milwaukee
Horizon League Most Outstanding Performer (Men's Field): Bobby Grace, Youngstown State
Horizon League Individual Scoring Award (Men):  Eric Rupe, Youngstown State
Horizon League Men's Coach of the Year: Pete Corfeld, Milwaukee

Horizon League Athlete of the Year: Simbi Laaro, Milwaukee
Horizon League Women's Track Freshman of the Year:  McKinsie Klim, Youngstown State
Horizon League Women's Field Freshman of the Year:  Nicole Waibel, Youngstown State
Horizon League Most Outstanding Performer (Women's Track):  Louisa Coppola, Detroit
Horizon League Most Outstanding Performer (Women's Field):  Sarah Drozdowski, Valparaiso
Horizon League Individual Scoring Award (Women):  Sherice Hewett, Milwaukee
Horizon League Women's Coach of the Year: Brian Gorby, Youngstown State