News

Cekada, Steffen open with Top-10 performances

Quakers get indoor season under way at Kent State

December 9, 2011

Tricia Steffen finished 10th in the 5,000-meter run at the Kent State Golden Flash Gala.

KENT — Wilmington College’s indoor track and field season opened at the Golden Flash Gala, hosted by Kent State University Friday.

Junior Annie Cekada and freshman Tricia Steffen were the only Wilmington women in action, with both competing in the 5,000-meter run — an event loaded with scholarship athletes.

“There were some very good Division I and Division II runners here,” Wilmington head coach Ron Combs said. “Our kids handled the competition well. They didn’t seem too nervous. They just went out and raced hard. I like that because in this environment, they can get caught up in everything. They handled it well.”

Cekada (Mineral Point, Pa./Central Cambria) finished sixth out of 15 runners with a time of 18:38.75.

“Annie took it out hard and ran the typical Annie Cekada race,” Combs said. “She looked good. She went out there and raced hard against some very good runners.”

Steffen (Baltimore/Liberty Union) was 10th overall, finishing in 19:36.16.

“Tricia has made a conscious effort the last month to step up. She has been training with Brittany Gibbons and Annie and Jenna Parlette,” Combs said. “I think we’re going to see her take it to another level during indoor and outdoor track seasons. This was the first time she’s gone under 20 minutes.”