The men’s indoor track and field team finished fifth at nationals and first in the MIAC last season, with Mike Hutton (‘12) finishing his Tommie career a national champion in the 800-meter.

Along with a strong senior class comes a No. 4 preseason ranking. Although its tough to recreate the success, St. Thomas looks as though it could even improve on last year’s strong campaign and even bring home a team national championship.

A strong point for the Tommies is All-American jumper Eyo Ekpo. He finished second in the triple jump and fourth in the high jump at indoor nationals last season. Ekpo, who had a great indoor season in 2012, was injured during the outdoor season although competing at nationals.

Ekpo said last season was great but knows the Tommies will try do better.

“Without a doubt, last year was a blessing and looking back, there are a lot of things I am proud of individually and as a team,” Ekpo said. “It is our goal this year to improve.”

In his 22 years of coaching at St. Thomas, coach Steve Mathre has guided the Tommies to 22 indoor championships and has been named the NCAA Central Region Coach of the Year three times.

Ekpo said Mathre’s great coaching and tradition are staples of the team’s success.

“One of our team’s mottos is that ‘tradition never graduates,’” Ekpo said. “St. Thomas’ track and field program has had a lot of tremendous people and athletes come before us.”

Mathre said Ekpo contributes to his own success and everyone else’s on the team too.

“Eyo is obviously a tremendous talent and among the best in the country (of all divisions) – yet he is also a great leader on our team,” Mathre said. “He makes everyone around want to be better, that shows that talent alone isn’t enough.”

Ekpo is joined by standout multi-event and jumper Maxwell Dunne, who said he wants to build off a strong last campaign.

“I did have a great season last year, I’m very proud of that and it was a lot of fun,” Dunne said. “I’ve had the summer and fall to train hard and am starting off the season in great shape, much better than past seasons.”

Dunne also said he believes in what Mathre teaches and said the team will be working to get better and improve on last season.

“Out of all the years I’ve been on the team, this year is that hardest I’ve seen our guys work,” Dunne said.

Mathre said this season will be a great experience for the team.

“We have a large, deep roster and will have several young athletes contribute right away,” Mathre said. “Combining new talent with our returners should make for an exciting season.”

Berg anchors strong track and field squad

The St. Thomas women’s track and field team plans to keep the momentum going this season after a successful indoor season and a great outdoor season last year. The Tommies finished the outdoor season with ten national academic honorees.

A big part of St. Thomas’ success can be credited to All-American mid-distance runner Taylor Berg. Berg anchored the Tommies’ distance medley relay indoor team that finished fourth last season at nationals. Berg was also part of the indoor national champion distance medley team back in 2010, her freshman year.

Berg, who is a two-sport athlete (St. Thomas’ women’s cross country), said last year was great but to continue her success she must work.

“Last year was definitely exciting, and at the beginning of last season, I had no idea I had the potential to achieve All-American in the 1500m (outdoor),” Berg said.

Coach Joe Sweeney, in his 33rd season at St. Thomas, has coached 24 individual national champions in track and field. He said Berg is a solid racer.

“Taylor is a very strong runner with excellent range,” Sweeney said. “She is extremely motivated with her primary focus helping the team succeed.”

For Berg, it’s possible to become a two-time national champion.

“There would be nothing better than being a national champion again,” Berg said. “Being able to help lead our distance medley to that success, as a senior, is definitely a goal that would be so satisfying to achieve.”

Other core athletes on the team include All-Americans Emily Van Heel, Mallory Burnham, Christina Rozeske, Angela Tipp, Erika Tipp, Erin Statz and Kayla Goeman.

Sweeney said his team is focused and will bring the last year’s chemistry to this campaign.

“We had a young team last year, and they are more seasoned and prepared,” Sweeney said. “The key to our success has always been dedication to preseason training, and this group has embraced that as much as any.”

Jesse Krull can be contacted at krul7386@stthomas.edu.