Meet Jontae' Randolph

Sophomore 400 runner Jontae' Randolph is this weeks Blue Wave Athlete of the Week.

Hometown: Michigan City, IN

Major: Accounting

Favorite Music: Hip Hop

Favorite Food: Chitlins

Interest Outside of Track: School and Girls

Goals for the Season: To have a very healthy season, compete well at conference, and particpate at Christian Nationals and NAIA.

Bethel College Links
News
Game Summaries
Schedule

Athletes Corner

The Hopes of a Captain

All Conference, NCCAA All-American, and multiple time NAIA qualifier Kate Bishop is an anchor for the Bethel Track and Field team. Throughout her previous three seasons Bishop has qualified for every NAIA meet, and been a versatile weapon in multiple events at multiple venues. As of last season, Bishop has competed in both hurdle races,the 200 meter dash, 4x4 and 4x1 relays; oh and did we mention the long jump as well. And that just names a few. Away from competiton, Kate has been a leader for the team. That leadership includes spiritual leadership and being named team captain of the womens side last year as a Junior. As this season and school year quickly approaches, we took time to ask Kate what her expectations and hopes were for this coming season.

"My expectations are set high this season, not only for myself but for the team. In talking with Coach Natali I am very excited about our incoming freshmen; their talent and size will play a big role in taking our team to the next level. Our upperclassmen have great leadership skills and abilities that will help the freshmen make a smooth transition into college athletics...

...Personally, I am really excited about this season. I will be trying a couple of new events with the hopes of competing in the pentahalon and possibly the heptahalon. I would really like to compete at a high level come postseason. I have had the opportunity to compete at NAIA but I don't feel like I've been able to capitalize on those opportunities. I would really like that to change this year. Most of all I am excited for our team to come together and enjoy the opportunity to bring glory to God through athletics."

Kate's hopes, goals, and expectations for this coming season are exciting to hear. We can expect big things from Kate this season, and more importantly we can expect big things from the whole team because of Kates leadership and postive perspective.

Bethel College Links

Track & Field Home
News
Roster
Coaches

Meet Caitlyn Gager

Sophomore All-American Caitlyn Gager is this weeks Blue Wave Athlete of the Week

Hometown: Rockford, MI

Major: Youth Ministry

Favorite music: I can listen to just about anything. Somedays I'm in the mood for country,christian, or rock, while other days I want to dance along to rap!! :)

Favorite foods: Once again, this depends on the type of mood i'm in. Normally, I'm a "health nut" and love fresh cut fruit. On other days, I'm a sucker for mashed potatoes, and on occasion, a large bowl of cookies and cream ice cream!

Interest outside of track: Hmm...is there anything outside of track? haha...jk! Well, I love working with kids and sharing the good news of Christ. I'm a Wyldlife leader at John Young Middle School, teach gymnastics at a local gym back in my hometown, and I volunteer (in the summer) at the YWCA. Also, traveling is definitely a hobbie of mine.

Goals for the season: My goal for every season is to work as hard as I possibly can to glorify the Lord. "It's not always the end result that matters, it's the journey you take to get there"! I hope to be a leader, motivator, and competitor on and off the track!

Athletes Corner

A Seniors Expectations

Five time NAIA qualifier and two time NAIA All-American Chris Warhop is ready for another big year. Warhop, who is one of several seniors that plan to lead the Pilots to another successful season, has been training harder than any previous year. We had the oppurtunity to talk with Chris and ask him what his personal goals and expectations were for the season.

"I just want to work my butt off to glorify God on and off the track. And I feel that I owe it to all of my teammates to give it all I have. Im so ready for this season to begin because I feel like some tramendous feets are going to go down!"

Chris' goals for the season are simple but strong in content. As fall track approaches we look forward to seeing his leadership, work ethic, and team oriented goals come into play.

Look forward to more Athletes Corner in the future featuring comments, goals, and expectations from various team members.

Bethel College Links
Track & Field Home
News
Game Summaries
Roster
Coaches

Meet Austin Roark

Bethel Newcomer Austin Roark is this weeks Blue Wave Athlete of the Week

Hometown: Greentown, Indiana

Major: Sign Language Interpretation

Favorite Music: Hip-Hop, R&B, Country

Favorite Food: Long John Silvers Chicken and More!! HaHa

Goals for the Season: To do the best of my ability. Work hard and stay focused. Compete in Conference Finals in LJ and TJ and possibly get out to Nationals in LJ and TJ. Just to do the best I can and have fun.

Why I chose BC: The people. All-around good people everywhere I went and I enjoyed meeting with coach and teammates. I feel that the team is a really good team and that the program is a good program that I can be involved with. Coach Natali was awesome and walking around campus with Geoff King and Zach Burrington really got me hooked. Away from the track perspective, the school and staff were extremely nice and I felt very comfortable. BC was the one place that I could see myself having fun.

California A Success

The Blue Wave's 18 Athletes find fun and success in California


This past season the Bethel College men's and women's track teams sent 18 athletes to Fresno California to compete in the NAIA National Track and Field Championships. The trip gave athletes the opportunity to bond with one another, experience the fun of California, and most importantly; compete against the best athletes in the country.

During competition the men were lead by Junior Zach Burrington who became a six time All-American in the pole vault. Also recieving All-American status was the 4x1 meter relay team which included All-American Senior Geoffrey King, All-American Juniors Chris Warhop, Brandon Thomas, and new comer Rod Waters. King also competed in the 200 meter dash, but was unable to reach All-American status for the first time, due to a hamstring pull. Rod Waters also competed in an indivisual sprint the 110 hurdles. Waters finished 10th in the event missing the finals by just one spot. Also leading the men was the 4x8 relay team composed of Juniors David Prieb, Andy Gray, and Sophomores Scott Robinson and Vincent Reel. The 4x8 team came into the meet ranked in the bottom half of the competing teams and left Fresno with a top 15 finish and a blistering new school record. Another school record was broken by team voted "hardest worker" Sophomore Calon Naragon. Naragon competed in the grueling marathon and was able to outlast the California sun and turn in a career best run. Rounding out the mens competition was Freshman J.J. Jackson. Jackson, who set the school shot put record this season, competed against stiff competition in his first national meet but still managed to finish higher than seeded.

The womens side was led by Freshman Caitlyn Gager. Gager was able to garner All-American honors in the pole vault giving her two All-American finishes in her young career. Fellow freshman Ann O'Keefe finished in the top ten of the pole vault and was only inches away from garnering her second All-American finish as well. In the running events the Pilots were led by Junior captain Kate Bishop. Bishop, who battled injury towards seasons end, was able to advance to the semi-finals of a loaded 400 meter hurdle field; and was rewarded with a top 15 finish. Bishop also competed in the 4x4 meter relay along with fellow Junior Kerri Goodrich, Sophomore Heather Rathbun, and Freshman Jessie Spearman. Coming off a new school record the inexperienced but highly rated Lady Pilot 4x4 team was able to hold their own against a tough field. The team came away with a top 20 finish and returns all four ladies this coming season.

With the loss of just one Senior among these athletes and four overall; the Pilots are looking forward to the possibilities of the 2007-2008 season. Run Throw Jump would like to say congrats to the 2007 National Outdoor qualifiers and wish them, as well as current and new Pilots great success this coming season.