As this publication went to press, the Colby women's indoor track team was sending three athletes to the NCAA Division III Championships. Senior Karima Ummah was going to participate in the high jump and triple jump, senior Caroline Minkoff was a competitor in the weight throw, and sophomore Jess Minty was competing in the 800-meter run.

Ummah, an All-American last year, had another stellar season for the Mules. She was honored twice as the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Track and Field Athlete Performer of the Week during the season. Ummah won two ECAC titles, one New England Division III title, and captured a record five individual events at the Maine State Championships.

Minkoff was consistent all year in the weight throw and gave the Mules a number of top three finishes against some of the best throwing competition in the country.

Minty shined at the New England Division III Championships, earning second place in the 800 meters in a tight race at the line with a senior from Tufts University. Minty did win the 800 at the Maine State meet.

Minty and Minkoff each earned NESCAC Winter All-Academic honors.

In its 24-year history the Colby women’s track and field team has experienced great success with 53 All-Americans and 95 NCAA national qualifiers. The team, whose roster numbers approximately 35 to 45 members, competes in 21 events and has a coaching staff of six led by Deb Aitken.

The 2003 squad, with a very successful indoor season, placed third at the New England Division III Championship and second at the ECAC Indoor Championship. Senior Connie Beal ’03 qualified for the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships in the shot put, finishing fifth (46'2.5") with All-America honors and taking ninth in the weight throw. Senior Liz Frederick ’03 finished ninth in the pole vault and junior Karima Ummah ’04 qualified in the high jump and triple jump. She finished second in the high jump (5'7.25") and third in the triple jump (39'10.5"). Colby had its second-best team finish in its indoor history, finishing eighth in the nation.

The outdoor season was equally successful with wins at all regular season meets, a third-place finish at the NESCAC Championship and a second-place finish at the New England Division III Championship. Several athletes provisionally qualified for the NCAA meet–Beal in the hammer throw and shot put, Frederick in the pole vault, and Karima Ummah in the high jump and triple jump. Frederick earned All-American honors by placing seventh in the pole vault with a leap of 11'7".

With the loss of seven seniors, including Beal and Frederick, the 2004 team will rely on a host of returning letter winners and a large and talented group of first-year students to maintain Colby’s competitive edge. Emphasis is on team balance and the individual development of each team member. Individual as well as team goals are established for each season and plans are established to ensure that all attainable goals are reached.

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