Thiel track teams boast Youngstown-area performers

Among his top runners are Kristy Marapese and Ashley Williams.
By JOHN KOVACH
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
The Thiel College women's indoor and outdoor track teams for the 2006-07 school year have a strong Youngstown-area flavor.
Coach Clyde Morgan is a native of Youngstown in his third year at the helm of both the women's and men's indoor and outdoor track teams for the college in Greenville, a.
Morgan has seven Youngstown-area performers on the women's squad, including senior Kristy Marapese (Struthers High) and sophomore Ashley Williams (Hickory).
Williams was a member of Thiel's winning 1,600-meter relay team in the Presidents' Athletic Conference Outdoor Championship last season to make the All-PAC first team.
Marapese and Williams said that they both love running track at Thiel and have a high regard for Morgan, a Chaney High graduate.
"Running track at Thiel has been a great experience," said Marapese, a distance runner and the daughter of Ben and Tammy Marapese. "I've never been on a team that was so closely united; everyone supports everyone else and is always there to pick you up when you're not doing too well or having a bad day."
Likes team atmosphere
She credits Morgan for a comfortable team atmosphere.
"Coach Morgan is there for everyone, on and off the track," Marapese said. "He loves the sport and knows exactly what to do to help you and motivate you to do better."
Marapese is grateful for the chance to build precious college memories at Thiel.
"Running track at Thiel has given me many fun memories and has also helped me create some close friendships and ties with people that I will take with me for the rest of my life, and I'm very grateful for that," Marapese said.
Williams, a sprinter and the daughter of Calvin and Cynthia Williams, said Morgan helped to ease the transition from high school to college track.
"Last year, coming in as a freshman, I was extremely nervous to run the 400-meters and to be apart of a relay. It turned out that I had nothing to be worried about," said Williams, who called Morgan is a motivator.
"I really like running for Coach Morgan because his pep talks always seem to prepare me for any event," Williams said. "Coach Morgan is always concerned about his student-athletes, and I feel like I'm running as a part of a family, more so than a track team."
Boyer, Kiger join team
Also with the Thiel team are freshmen Jennifer Boyer (Poland) and Abby Kiger (Mineral Ridge).
Boyer, who throws the shot put, is the daughter of Karen Boyer; while Kiger, a hurdler who was all-state in the 300-meter hurdles in 2006, is the daughter of Dan and Evelyn Kiger.
Another sophomore is Cara Rife (Reynolds), who will run the 400-meter dash and the 1,600-meter relay.
Rife, the daughter of Darlene and Carroll Rife, was a state qualifier in the 400-meter dash in 2005 at Reynolds.
Rife is rejoined by freshman Janice Ringer, a former teammate at Reynolds, who is a hurdler.
Ringer, the daughter of William and Suzette Ringer, was a state qualifier in the 100-meter hurdles in 2006 for Reynolds.
Locke plays volleyball, too
Another freshmen is LaToya Locke (Farrell), the daughter of Melvin and Susan Locke who will compete in the hurdles and jumps. Locke also is a volleyball standout for the Tomcats.
Other new additions to the women's teams are freshman Kristen Martin (Stow Munroe Falls High) and Liz Sitko (Crestwood).
Martin, the daughter of Denny and Janna Martin, will run the 800 meters. Sitko, the daughter of Steve and Jamie Sitko, will throw the discus. She was an all-state performer in the event.
Morgan, who also coaches the men's indoor and outdoor track teams, said that Jeremiah Jones (Mercer) is a recent addition to the team.
Jones will compete in the 100-meter and 200-meter dashes. The son of James and Denis Jones, Jeremiah was a first-team District 10 selection at Mercer.
Morgan will be assisted by Carl Hinderliter, a former head track and field coach at Reynolds High School, and Kevin Pool, a three-time NCAA Division III all-American.
Hinderliter and Pool were hired earlier this month to help Morgan with the men's and women's indoor and outdoor track and field programs.
kovach@vindy.com