The 2007-08 Shippensburg University women's track and field team should return as one of the premier teams in the PSAC. Last year, the Lady Raiders placed fifth at the PSAC indoor championships and fourth at the outdoor championships.

"This will be the season we move to the next level in the conference." said head coach Dave Osanitsch. "After several great recruiting years and excellent upperclassman leadership, this team has the opportunities to be one of the best in the PSAC."

With the recipe for success in place, this year's Lady Raider team will be fun to watch.

Sprints/Hurdles

Junior Siobhan Richards leads a very deep and talented sprints squad. In her career, she has shown incredible versatility as evidenced by her PSAC placewinner status in everything from the 400-meter intermediate hurdles down to the 55-meter dash. Her focus this season will be the short sprint events as Richards has developed into one of the best sprinters in the PSAC and should be a threat to the Shippensburg record books.

Sophomore Shannon Hare had a tremendous freshman campaign after being a conference placewinner in the 400-meter dash while serving as a key member of the 4x400-meter relay team. Junior Megan Fogle missed last season due to a foot injury, but will look to add depth in the sprints after being a conference placewinner in the 400 as a freshman and sophomore.

The Lady Raiders will also welcome the addition of some blue chip recruits. Freshmen Erica Hess, Laura Henzy, Sara Wlazelek, Amanda Dubs, Emily Dubs and Donnel Hodges should all make a immediate impact in the PSAC.

Junior All-PSAC hurdler Michelle Morcom will headline the hurdle events for the Lady Raiders. She has developed into a national provisional caliber hurdler and will look to take the next step in qualifying this year. Freshmen Laura Henzy and Rebekah Newhart will both be a force in the high hurdles.

Former conference placewinner, sophomore Courtney Kostich, also returns from a season plagued by injuries and will look to return to her original form from her freshman campaign.

Jumps/Multis

Senior Casey Drummond, a multiple PSAC placewinner, will lead the jumps squad. She has been clutch in the high jump at the conference championships and will look to attain All-PSAC honors to end her solid career. Joining Drummond will be junior Karen Good in the triple jump and freshman Steph Hutzayluk in the long jump. Good was a PSAC qualifier last season.

Freshman Kasey Gardner, a member of the women's basketball team, will contend in the high jump for the Lady Raiders. One of Shippensburg's top recruits, freshman Rebekah Newhart, should be a real threat at the PSAC championships in all the jumping events.

Freshman Crista Raymond will be the team's lone pole vaulter and will look to fill the shoes of All-PSAC vaulter Stacey Wilcher who was lost to graduation.

The multis will be anchored by two veteran PSAC placewinners in juniors Ashleigh Helfrick and Tina Grussenmeyer, both whom have developed over their careers and have legitimate shots at the school multi records.

Freshmen Alexis Briggs and Erin Riley both show promise in the multi events.

Distance/Mid-Distance

This unit of the program should be the team’s anchor for success. Sophomore Mary Dell has developed incredible range and will look to be a dominating force in the 800-meter run. She is coming off her first cross country season ever in which she earned All-East Regio honors. Together with her sprint resume, Dell's season should be an exciting one.

Freshman Abby Huber, the PSAC Rookie of the Year in cross country, and All-PSAC and All-East Region honoree, will be a welcomed addition to the squad. Freshman Jamie McCollum had a stellar high school career and was also named All-PSAC in her first cross country season. Junior Alli Rineer will be the leader of this talented bunch and will look to return to form from her highly successful freshman campaign after a injury-plagued sophomore season.

Junior transfer Samantha Jones brings a great deal of experience in the distance events and should be a factor in the PSAC while senior Bridget Danner will be returning for her final season and looks to be a force in the steeplechase.

The Lady Raiders will have some welcoming depth with the addition of freshmen Kelly Unger, Jen Cristy, Katie Frey, Jenna Gormly, Mary Kane, Chelsea Lacko, Allison Mays, Lauren Meckley and Kali Renninger.

Throws

With the graduation of NCAA provisional qualifie, school record holder and PSAC champion Megan Schweighofer, the throws unit will have to develop quickly.

All-PSAC javelin thrower, junior Lindsay Housholder, will be the leader of this young squad along with sophomore Krysten Goetter who was a conference placewinner a year ago in the shot and indoor weight. Goetter will look to be Shippensburg's top female thrower.

Freshman Margaret Merlie has shown a quick ability to learn in the shot and should be a factor in the PSAC. Sophomore Jen Szarzynski will look to contribute in the discus while sophomore Amanda Emig will look to become a conference qualifier in the indoor weight throw.

Competing in the javelin for Shippensburg will be sophomore Erica Koser and freshman Jillian Weikel.