Track and Field | ESU Bulletin

Jackson radiates confidence, ‘thrower style’

Written by Bulletin Staff
Friday, 27 April 2012 08:07
No Comments

Senior thrower Deja Jackson practices throwing discus Tuesday afternoon on the practice fields. Jackson placed 15th in the hammer throw last Thursday at the Kansas Relays. Jon Coffey/The Bulletin

In high school at Topeka West, senior thrower Deja Jackson decided to try her luck in throwing for the track team because she felt she was “a strong young woman.” But it wasn’t until her last year that she thought seriously about throwing in college.

“I am kind of a late person,” Jackson said. “I don’t really know what I want to do until the deadline. It started becoming a reality my senior year.”

Jackson chose Emporia State for several reasons. Her grandmother attended college here and she also did not want to be too far from her home in Topeka. While visiting with the throwers and coaches, ESU seemed like a good fit.

Jackson is working toward her degree rehabilitation education.

“I enjoy helping people, and I like the counseling aspect of it,” Jackson said.

Jacksons’ teammates enjoy having her around and said she is always smiling, has great hair and that they love her presence.

“She makes the sport fun for everyone,” said junior thrower Elizabeth Stover.

But just because Jackson knows how to have a good time does not mean she doesn’t know when to be serious. On meet days, Jackson warms up with the team, and helps out everyone that she can.

“When it comes to her event, she is focused and she does work,” Stover said. “When she steps in the ring, she is ready to go.”

Jackson is described as a teammate with great skills in the ring, and is a good leader as well. She gives constructive criticism, and her teammates accept it.

“Deja’s probably the best team captain I’ve ever had. She’s a great teammate, and a great person,” said freshman thrower Brennan Goodnature. “She tells you straight up if you are throwing good… she gets down to the point.”

When asked how good the team was going to do this year, Jackson replied confidently.

“I think we are going to do great. I think we have depth in all of the events. We have a really good atmosphere. This year is one of the best team building atmospheres’ I have been in since I have been here. It is just really positive, so I think we will do really well.”

Jackson is also close with her teammates. The throwers try to get together if not once a week, then every other week to eat “thrower style” meals.

Jackson said throwing is nice because when she’s angry, she can let out some aggression. She also likes the competition.

“I like the fact that it is so technical,” Jackson said. “Anyone can be beaten any given day.”

When asked what the best advice she had ever been given was, Jackson replied without hesitation.

“Just go out there and have fun – don’t think so much.”

Taylor Scott

Q&A with track head coach Steve Blocker

Written by Bulletin Staff
Wednesday, 01 February 2012 21:23
No Comments

The team is off to a quick start. Can you comment on the early season success?

As a coaching staff, we get together from time to time and try to figure out what we are doing right. Then we discuss some things we can do better. I think the athletes right now have high morale and everything helps, including the weather. Obviously with it being indoor season, we are just trying to stress that they work as a team, help each other out and we have really gelled that way. The athletes are really responding to the training, which from a coaching perspective is huge. I think the athletes pushing each other, is directly related to our early season success.

Can you comment on the strengths and weaknesses of the team?

Strength wise, we are just on fire right now. There is so much momentum…everyone is just doing such a good job of keeping the team’s morale up right now. From a weakness stand point, we can always be better, but I feel so good about these guys. There are some areas that we need to be stronger in, but there is nothing we can do about that right now. We are just going to put the emphasis on coaching the athletes we have now.

Can you comment of the leadership of the team captains?

When we as a coaching staff sat down and decided to have team captains there were some pluses and minuses. From a coaching standpoint, we as a coaching staff had a mock captain selection. The athletes the individuals chose to be captains were actually the same that the coaches would have selected. We have so many kids from top to bottom that would fit a captain’s role. We are really proud of these people. You could go right on down the list of captains and there are great things to say about every single one of them. I think it is good for them to realize their peers voted them into the captain’s role. It puts a little responsibility on them to be leaders.

Can you talk about some of the team goals?

We want to keep getting better every day going into MIAA track meets. We tell our athletes that we have to do more with less than some of our competitors and that is just the way it is. We continue to stay optimistic, think we can go in and get better. We are going to go into MIAA and go after a title, no matter what the odds are against us.

Marcus Hix

Changes Made To Bradley Leadership. go to site boston logan airport

Hartford Courant (Hartford, CT) August 16, 2007 Byline: Lynn Doan Aug. 16–WINDSOR LOCKS — State officials announced today a shakeup of Bradley International Airport’s administration, with its acting administrator stepping down and a state transportation official temporarily taking his place.

Barry J. Pallanck, who has acted as Bradley’s administrator since 2004, will now serve as assistant airport administrator for five smaller airports operated by the state, according to a statement released by Gov. M. Jodi Rell. Stephen E. Korta II, who was Bradley’s administrator until he was named the state’s transportation aviation administrator in 2004, will return as the airport’s administrator until the state finds a permanent hire. website boston logan airport

Rell announced that the state will launched a nationwide search for a new administrator for Bradley, New England’s second-largest airport behind Boston Logan Airport.

“Bradley is among the fastest-growing airports in the country and we need a visionary leader to enhance its already excellent reputation for marketing and customer service,” Rell said in the statement.

Under Pallanck’s administration, the state-operated airport saw its first daily, nonstop international service — Northwest Airlines began flights to Amsterdam last month. It was also announced last week that the European airframe maker Airbus plans to land one if its A380 “superjumbo” jets, the world’s largest passenger aircraft, at Bradley in early October.

Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.

Modest Mona is force to be reckoned with

Written by Bulletin Staff
Wednesday, 01 February 2012 21:19
No Comments

kati mona CMYK In her senior season, Katie Mona, health promotions major, has been nothing less than dominant. Her early season success can be attributed to hard work and determination. One would not expect the quiet, shy and modest Mona to be a dominant force on the oval track.

Growing up in Illinois, Mona competed in gymnastics. She moved to Kansas and started attending Olathe Northwest. It was not until her sophomore year that she joined the track and field team.

“I am very timid and shy, so gymnastics didn’t work for me growing up,” Mona said. “Then I just kind of changed with my friends and decided to go run. I started running track and field as a sophomore. I then started running cross-country when I was a junior. Then I just kept working at both.”

Mona runs the 800 meter, mile and the 3k. Occasionally, she will compete in the 4X4 relay. According to ESU’s website, Mona dominated at the University of Central Missouri Invitational Meet on Jan. 20. Mona shattered a 21-year-old building record and 4-year-old ESU record in winning the women’s 3000 meter run.

Her time of 9:47.15 bettered Pittsburg State’s Christie Allen’s Multipurpose Building record of 10:05.26 set in 1991, and Jonel Rossbach’s ESU record of 9:50.39 set at Iowa State in 2008.

“She is really fun to watch,” said Steve Blocker, head coach. “She is running a little care-free right now, and I think she feels the confidence from that. She has put in the work without a doubt. The cumulative effect of the three years of training is paying off for us now. Her dedication speaks for itself.”

Katie has consistently improved each season. Her times have increased with hard work and determination while working through injuries.

“I have been improving my times from previous years,” Mona said. “I had an injury, stress fracture twice. I think that coming back from that, I feel a lot stronger, and it is kind of showing in my times this season.”

Although Mona is reserved, her teammates have noticed her hard work and determination. She was voted a team captain for the 2012 season.

“It’s an honor to be named captain,” Mona said. “We have several captains overall, and I’m glad to be noticed by my teammates. It’s nice to know that they look up to me and would nominate me to be a captain.”

Marcus Hix

Two named MIAA Student-Athletes of the Week

Written by Bulletin Staff
Friday, 27 January 2012 16:37
No Comments

Emporia State distance runner Katie Mona and high jumper Briar Ploude were named MIAA Track and Field Student-Athletes of the Week for Jan. 16-22. It is the second straight honor for both of them.

Mona won the women’s track athlete award by dominating the 3,000 meter at the UCM Invitational, where she demolished the previous record by an astounding 18 seconds while winning the event by 1:02. The Lenexa native has the best time in the MIAA in the event this seasom by nearly 30 seconds.

Ploude won the high jump at the UCM Invitational with a leap of 7-01.75 feet to capture the men’s field athlete award. From Meridian, he has the top mark in the nation this season. By clearing 7 feet for the second straight meet, he is automatically a national qualifier.

Women win UCM Invitational, men take second

The track and field team traveled to Warrensburg, Mo. to compete in the University of Central Missouri Invitational last Friday. Emporia State set three school records, had an automatic qualifier, 12 event champions and six provisional marks. The 23rd ranked Hornet women won the team competition while the men placed second.

Efforts by Briar Ploude, Katie Mona, Sonya Schement, Marquietta Marisette, Andrew Etheridge, Gannon Mack, Shjuan Richardson and Ryan Dickson had strong showings for ESU at the Invitational.

The Hornets will be back in action this weekend as they travel to Lawrence for the Jayhawk Classic.

Track captain strives to emulate father’s legacy

Written by Bulletin Staff
Friday, 27 January 2012 16:33
No Comments

Born and raised in Wichita, Lucas San Martin, one of the track and field team captains for the 2012 season, has always had a knack for sports.

Growing up, he played both football and ran track at Goddard High. Majoring in political science with a minor in philosophy, there is much more than meets the eye.

“I was very involved in orchestra and chamber orchestra,” San Martin said. “Chamber music is something that is very near and dear to my heart. I have played the cello since I was a young boy and I fell in love with the instrument.”

San Martin said he has had many influential people in his life, but one in particular comes to mind – his father, Lazaro San Martin. The journey his father made to America is full of courage and passion for a better life.

Lazaro immigrated from Cuba, coming to America in 1962 through Catholic charities while being aided by the Central Intelligence Agency through an operation known as “Pedro Pan,” “Peter Pan” in English. Lazaro sought a better life for himself.

“They were called Peter Pan because they were the boys that flew,” San Martin said. “This is something that has inspired me throughout my life. The fact that he came from a society with no opportunity, no future and was given a chance at a life to make something of himself. I strive every day to be half the man he is.”

Track and field has given Lucas one of many opportunities to be a positive influence on others, just like his father was to him. His leadership and determination have not gone unnoticed by his teammates.

“Lucas leads by example,” said 400 meter sprinter Frank Cortez. “He shows determination and hard work every day. The work ethic is there and others see it as well.”

San Martin does not overlook being named a team captain. He said he takes great pride and is humbled by the honor his teammates have bestowed upon him.

“It’s an honor on this team to be elected as a captain,” San Martin said. “This squad of men is full of hard workers. I’m honored to go to school with these guys. I take this honor very seriously.”

The men’s track and field team finished fourth overall last year, according to Emporia State’s website, and the team has high expectations going into this season.

“When you have a team of this caliber, you focus together as one heartbeat,” San Martin said. “You have to go out and perform. I think we are going to be very tough to stop this year. I expect everyone, every practice, to go out and give it absolutely 100 percent, as if they were competing day by day.”

Marcus Hix

Microsoft delivers ASP strategy

New Straits Times October 19, 2000 | Aimie Pardas Aimie Pardas New Straits Times 10-19-2000 Microsoft delivers ASP strategy Byline: Aimie Pardas Edition: Computimes; 2* Section: Business News

SOFTWARE giant Microsoft Corp hopes to assist companies which are looking to build services for distribution over the Internet as part of its application service provider (ASP) strategy.

Under the strategy, the company will deliver a complete platform of products, business terms, support, certification and partnerships for ASPs and application hosting, said Bill Anderson who is Microsoft’s Web application services market development director.

“Since the concept of a new delivery model for subscription-based application services started more than two years ago, we’ve seen an increasing interest from our partners and customers who has mirrored our mission to create a software which empowers people anytime, any place and on any device.”

The strategy will enable companies to implement programs for software developers and ASPs, Anderson told reporters in Kuala Lumpur on Monday. see here microsoft office online

He said Microsoft would work with ASP enablers to empower independent software vendors (ISVs), ASPs and Microsoft-certified solution providers to enter the application hosting market and offer complete solutions without building and managing their own infrastructure.

Microsoft, he added, is committed to bring together the hosting capacity provided by the ASP enablers, solutions developed by the ASPs and the sales and customisation skills of Microsoft sales channels. web site microsoft office online

Anderson said with this ASP strategy, Microsoft has provided an option to partners to provide software and services by pre-packaging it or leasing it on the Internet. However, 95 per cent of users will still want the pre-packaged software, at least for the next few years, but the ASP model is available to those who want it.

Besides cost savings, providing software-as-a-service can help address the need for talented information technology (IT) professionals as companies will be able to outsource their IT needs instead of having an on-site IT department.

Anderson said companies which are expanding could have their systems ready sooner while those with remote sites could turn the management to a service provider.

The software-as-a-service business will broaden the choices for enterprises in addressing their IT needs, he added.

At present, more than 70 ISVs, ASPs and system integrator partners have announced their support for the platform and applications. “There is a growing interest in the local industry and marketplace for hosted applications,” Anderson said.

Microsoft Malaysia’s Internet business group director Jason Lim said the company would provide tools and platforms to build the services through the ASP strategy, also sometimes called the software- as-a-service strategy.

“Microsoft will work with partners to build Web services and business models,” Lim said, adding that extensible markup language (XML) will become the core strategy.

Products and services which can assist this strategy include the Microsoft Exchange 2000 server, Microsoft Windows DNA and Microsoft Office online. The company is currently working with network providers such as Telekom Malaysia and Maxis to ensure that the platform is available.

Key strategic hosting partners include Telekom Malaysia with its Netmyne Two service and Maxis Net while ASP service partners include E1000, SmartTransact, GO2020 and VLC.Com.

Illustrations/Photos:

Caption: Anderson: An increasing interest in subscription based application services.

Aimie Pardas

Sports Shorts

Written by Bulletin Staff
Friday, 27 January 2012 14:34
No Comments

Three ESU teams ranked nationally

Both the Emporia State men’s and women’s indoor track and field teams made an appearance in this week’s United States Track & Field/Cross Country Coaches Association Top 25 Power Rankings.

The Hornet men are ranked 24th, while the ESU women are 25th this week. Both made strong early season appearances at the Wichita State Herm Wilson Invitational and at the UCM Invitational.

The Lady Hornets moved up three spots to the 17th slot in this week’s national top 25. The team has been in the Coaches Top 25 for 197 weeks since first appearing in the 1997-98 preseason poll and have received votes in 214 of the last 218 polls.

Their record now stands at 13-3, with a very strong 9-2 record, which ranks them third place in the MIAA.

Two named MIAA Student-Athletes of the Week

Emporia State distance runner Katie Mona and high jumper Briar Ploude were named MIAA Track and Field Student-Athletes of the Week for Jan. 16-22. It is the second straight honor for both of them.

Mona won the women’s track athlete award by dominating the 3,000 meter at the UCM Invitational, where she demolished the previous record by an astounding 18 seconds while winning the event by 1:02. The Lenexa native has the best time in the MIAA in the event this seasom by nearly 30 seconds.

Ploude won the high jump at the UCM Invitational with a leap of 7-01.75 feet to capture the men’s field athlete award. From Meridian, he has the top mark in the nation this season. By clearing 7 feet for the second straight meet, he is automatically a national qualifier.

Women win UCM Invitational, men take second

The track and field team traveled to Warrensburg, Mo. to compete in the University of Central Missouri Invitational last Friday. Emporia State set three school records, had an automatic qualifier, 12 event champions and six provisional marks. The 23rd ranked Hornet women won the team competition while the men placed second.

Efforts by Briar Ploude, Katie Mona, Sonya Schement, Marquietta Marisette, Andrew Etheridge, Gannon Mack, Shjuan Richardson and Ryan Dickson had strong showings for ESU at the Invitational.

The Hornets will be back in action this weekend as they travel to Lawrence for the Jayhawk Classic.

JCPenney Kicks Off ‘Rascal Flatts American Living Unstoppable Tour’ Campaign go to web site jcpenney printable coupons

Wireless News May 20, 2009

Wireless News 05-20-2009 JCPenney Kicks Off ‘Rascal Flatts American Living Unstoppable Tour’ Campaign Type: News

J. C. Penney Company, Inc. announced the launch of an integrated marketing campaign supporting the Company’s official sponsorship of the “Rascal Flatts American Living Unstoppable Tour.”

Kicking off on June 5, the nationwide tour will promote American Living – the retailer’s all-American lifestyle brand developed exclusively for the JCPenney customer by Polo Ralph Lauren’s Global Brand Concepts.

“With its fresh take on classic style and impeccable quality at affordable prices, American Living has gained wide customer acceptance since its launch, quickly becoming a powerful lifestyle brand that truly differentiates JCPenney in the retail marketplace,” said Ken Hicks, president and chief merchandising officer for JCPenney.

“American Living elevates and supports our philosophy that ‘Every Day Matters’ – it’s really all about enhancing the quality of life for our customers, allowing them to have something truly aspirational at an affordable price,” said Mike Boylson, chief marketing officer for JCPenney. “This unique marketing partnership with Rascal Flatts will use the power of music to elevate both American Living and JCPenney in the minds of our customers.”

The company said that components of the fully-integrated marketing campaign will include:

- Broadcast: Airing May 18 – June 7 on prime time and cable television programming, a 30 second broadcast commercial will feature Rascal Flatts band members — Gary LeVox, Jay DeMarcus and Joe Don Rooney – in American Living apparel, singing their new song, “American Living,” inspired by the spirit of the brand. The song is available exclusively on a special version of the band’s new Unstoppable CD sold at JCPenney. For every CD sold, $1 will be donated to the JCPenney Afterschool Fund. site jcpenney printable coupons

- Tour: The Rascal Flatts band members will primarily wear customized apparel from the American Living line while performing in concert. Additionally, the band’s fleet of semi trucks and a JCPenney touring bus will feature imagery of the brand. Along with American Living signage throughout the concert venues and outdoor areas, an extended version of the new American Living commercial (featuring footage of the making of the commercial), will run on large screens before the concerts.

- Radio: JCPenney will be hosting live radio remotes at JCPenney locations in top concert markets. Radio listeners will have an opportunity to win American Living merchandise along with premium Rascal Flatts concert tickets.

Q&A with Frank Cortez: New team captain has high expectations for season

Written by Bulletin Staff
Friday, 20 January 2012 17:04
No Comments

Cortez

How does it feel to be named a team captain for track and field?

I’ve been here for four years, so it is very rewarding to be recognized by all of my fellow teammates. It reminds you of all of the hard work and all of the time you have put into the track team. It is definitely a big honor being voted in by the other athletes. Knowing that they view me as one of the leaders on the team is a great feeling to have.

How do you feel about the upcoming season?

I am very excited due to the potential of our young team. We have already had a couple people qualify – Katie Mona, who is number one in the nation, a couple of provisional qualifiers and a couple others who will get that mark later in the season. We are just a young team with a lot of experience to gain. It is really exciting that the doors are wide open and there is no limit to what this team can do.

What are you most looking forward to this season?

I’m looking forward to us bringing the team together. Our whole theme this season has been family. All of the other captains are very good at keeping the morale of the team up, whether it’s through laughter, motivation or just setting the example. I think the reason we were chosen as captains is because we all do a good job of leading by example and that’s the best part of what we do as captains.

What are some of your expectations for the team?

We have a pretty high standard, which was set last season. We took fourth in the nation outdoors and fifth in the nation indoors. On the men’s side we lost some key individuals that are very difficult to replace, but we have some people stepping up to the plate and are willing to accept the challenge. I foresee us being right back where we were as a team. I put pressure on myself as a senior leader and team captain to do something big and help this team out and I’ve worked hard to put myself in a position to do that.

Can you discuss the new coach Steven Blocker and the way he is leading the team?

Although this is his first season, we have worked with him for the last couple of years. He does a very good job of making everyone feel like they have a role within the team. On a personal level, when I was struggling with academics a couple of years ago, he pulled me aside and told me that the team needs me. That was the first time a coach had told me that. By him telling me that, it made me want to work very hard for him and has helped even further motivate me.

Marcus Hix