Chamberlain and Kolacz Head to NCAA Indoor Championships

KEENE, N.H. 3/9/10 - Keene State College has qualified two athletes for this weekend’s NCAA Division III Indoor Track and Field Championships that take place at DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana.

Junior Ally Chamberlain of Scarborough, Maine, is the top seed in the 800-meter race, while Brentwood, N.H., native Bryan Kolacz, a junior, is ranked seventh in the weight throw event.

Chamberlain also qualified in the mile, but decided to concentrate on one race. “Ally’s better event is the 800, so we thought it would be best for her just to do that,” said KSC coach Peter Thomas.

Chamberlain, who will be competing at the national meet for the first time, can’t wait to get on the track. “I’ve been waiting for this race for a long time,” she said. “I didn’t qualify last year, so ever since, I’ve been working for this moment.”

Chamberlain has had a very productive season on the track. A seven-time Little East Conference Runner of the Week, she won the mile race at the New England Division III championship (4:55.90) and led from start to finish in the 800 at the All-Division New England meet, setting a KSC record with a time of 2:08.80.

She isn’t concerned about being the top seed. “You could say I have a bulls- eye on my back, but I like my position,” said Chamberlain. “Ally is definitely going to have some competition,” said Thomas. “She’ll need her best effort to win the race.”

Kolacz will be making his fourth trip to the national meet. The national champion in the hammer last spring, he is looking for his first indoor All- America honor. “Winning the hammer was nice, but this is a different competition and a different event,” said Kolacz, a five-time LEC Field Athlete of the Week. “For a change, I’ll be one of the guys chasing down the no. 1 competitor.”

“Bryan has trained very hard and is looking to peak at the championships,” said John Napolitano, KSC’s throwing coach. “He has to match his strength and technique in one throw.”

Kolacz’s best throw this season (60’10.75”) took place at the Boston University Terrier Classic on Jan. 29. The top mark in the field (64’5.75”) is held by Ben Ludtke from Wisconsin-Oshkosh.

“I don’t have as much size to throw around as the other competitors, but I do have technique,” said Kolacz. “I’m going to try to get in the top eight and then go after the number-one spot.”

Keene State’s track program has produced 19 national champion honors and 99 All-America awards. That number could increase this weekend.