Jan. 25, 2002

BALTIMORE, MD - Johns Hopkins head track & field coach Bobby Van Allen has announced that five captains, three seniors and two juniors, have been named to head the team of more than 80 athletes for the 2002 indoor and outdoor track seasons.

John Apperson (Kansas City, MO/Raytown), a senior who spent last year studying in Paris, returns to the team as its top half-miler and a member of two school-record relay teams. Senior Moky Cheung is a solid performer in the shot put and discus throw, scoring points in both events in last year's conference championships, and senior Mary Staley (Rutherford, NJ/Queen of Peace) is a four-year letter-earner as a member of the cross-country team as well as a solid distance runner on the track.

Juniors Nikki Gross (York, PA/York Suburben) and Dave Courson (Westfield, VT/North Country Union) round out captains. Gross has been one of the teams' best long sprinters for three years, holds the Hopkins indoor records for 200 and 400 meters and is also a member of two school-record setting teams in relay events. This year Nikki Gross will also compete in the 800, already earning a spot on the conference's current top ten list. David Courson has been a consistent cross-country team scorer and is a proven performer at the longer distances on the track.

The captains will help their coaches with communications, team trip management, instilling team spirit and other leadership tasks as needed for the large Hopkins team. The Blue Jays return to action Friday and Saturday for an indoor meet at Christopher Newport.