Bethlehem, PA – Lehigh returns to the track this weekend as the Mountain Hawks travel to Easton to take on archrival Lafayette in what should be yet another exciting meet between these long time rivals. The Lehigh men have been competing against the Leopard men since back in 1881 and have won the last two, including a 105-98 victory last season. The Mountain Hawk women have dropped the last two meets with their archrivals and have been battling it out since 1988.
Leading the way for the Lehigh men will be junior Vaclav Malek, who won the high jump in last year’s outdoor meet with Lafayette. Craig Percopo also won an individual event for the Mountain Hawks last season versus the Leopards when he threw the javelin 57.18 meters, more than nine meters further than the next closest competitor. Other Lehigh men who are expected to have strong showings are seniors Lavar Pope in the sprints and Nick Maiorino in the throwing events. Brian Ahearn in the mid-distance events should have a solid meet as well, while in the distance events, Rob Hampson and Victor Vientos will look to lead the Mountain Hawks to victory.
For the Lehigh women, K.T. Hessler and Lindsay Hinsch are two of the Brown and White’s top performers and will look to keep that trend going on Saturday in Easton. Hessler won the high jump in this meet last season, while Hinsch won the triple jump and the long jump. Lauren Barrett and Deanna Willard also posted victories in 2004, winning the javelin and the 3000-meter steeple chase respectively. Keep an eye on senior Khyala Lowe in the sprints and jumping events, as well as Jen Schappert in the distance events, Nicole Montegary in the sprints and the jumps, Mary Guenther in the multi, Liz Haight in the sprints and Kristi Spittle and Alyssa Koob in the throwing events on the women’s side.
Head coach Matt Utesch is ready to get out there on Saturday and witness a very competitive meet against Lehigh’s archrivals. “Well, we’re basically going into this meet blind, because Lafayette has not had that many competitions this spring due to the weather, so we aren’t sure who is going to compete and where for them. That makes this meet a bit more uncertain than it usually is.” Utesch continues, “I feel very confident that the men could have won during the indoor season (Lafayette won 93-88), and that they can win on Saturday. We have one of our top guns out with an injury, but I think that we are deep enough that we can cover up for him this weekend. I’m real excited to see what the men can do out there.”
Utesch then commented on the women. “On the women’s side, we just want to try and keep that momentum going from the indoor season (Lehigh won 99-82). We’re talented, we’re deep and we’re definitely ready for the opportunity. It should be a great meet and we hope to see everyone there on Saturday in Easton.”
Saturday’s meet gets underway at 11:00 am from Easton. Complete results of the meet will be available on lehighsports.com.
