Jack Elfenbaum
Long distance runner Jack Elfenbaum (junior) finished seventh overall at the Masters Invitational Sept. 20 with a time of 24:52 in the 8k, averaging a 5:00 minute mile pace.
Robert Bartlett, cross country head coach, and Demi Marine, assistant coach, said Elfenbaum’s racing style is responsible for his success.
“Jack is a very patient runner. He takes his time to move up throughout the race,” Marine said. “[At] the beginning [of the Invitational] I was like, ‘Oh, Jack’s doing what Jack does.’ I saw him in the top 10 at one point, and then I saw him picking people off and moving up, which was really exciting.”
Elfenbaum said he first implemented this racing strategy in middle school and has stuck with it ever since.
“I play the endurance game,” Elfenbaum said. “I can do slower paces for longer distances and use all my speed at the end.”
Elfenbaum’s confidence has grown since his freshman year, according to Bartlett.
“He’s much faster, a lot fitter, and more confident and mature,” Bartlett said. “He’s always been talented, but I think the other things were natural improvements with age and experience.”
Marine said Elfenbaum has improved as an athlete and teammate in his time at Occidental.
“In the beginning [of his college career], he was a little hesitant to take the lead or go in the front of the race,” Marine said. “I want to see him [realize] that he belongs in the front.”
Elfenbaum said though he values his own achievements, he also pushes his teammates to compete at the highest level possible.
“We compete to better each other, not beat each other,” Elfenbaum said. “In track, I have a very clear mission: to get better and help my teammates get better.”
Elfenbaum said he feels inspired by his teammates’ presence on the race course, despite cross country being an individual sport.
“My teammate Owen Voigt usually reminds us when we’re racing [to] ‘go out there and find each other — look for that orange jersey,’” Elfenbaum said. “We’re pulling each other together even if it means we’re trying to beat each other.”
Marine said Elfenbaum’s level of determination will help him become an even better runner.
“Jack has the potential to be one of the greatest to ever run at Oxy, and I hope he knows it,” Marine said.
Mia Merkelbach
Forward Mia Merkelbach (sophomore) scored in the second minute of the women’s soccer game against Pomona Pitzer Sept. 20.
Merkelbach said she missed all of last season due to a torn ACL.
“My injury made me so much more grateful for the opportunity to play,” Merkelbach said.
Assistant Athletic Director and women’s soccer head coach Colm McFeely said Merkelbach has done an amazing job since coming back from surgery.
“She’s got a great mentality [and] great attitude,” McFeely said. “[We are] so pleased to see her back, fully functioning.”
Assistant Coach Diana Potterveld said Merkelbach’s intense preparation during the offseason is a contributing factor to her fierce comeback.
“She’s been working [hard] over the summer, which is really important when we’re not with each other,” Potterveld said. “She’s coming back full throttle.”
Merkelbach said she plays with intensity and determination.
“My aggression on the field is one of my strengths, [as well as] my speed,” Merkelbach said. “I’m not scared to tackle [and] try to get the ball. I like to play fast, I like to beat people with my speed, but I also like to play smart, play calm and not rush the game.”
Potterveld said Merkelbach’s perseverance makes her an even stronger player.
“She’ll keep attacking, she won’t give up,” Potterveld said. “She’ll go hard defensively and offensively. Her work ethic is really high. Even if it’s not an easy shot, she will find a way to put the ball in the back of the net.”
McFeely said Merkelbach’s bond with the team has been key to their success.
“She’s one of those players that inspires everybody,” McFeely said. “[Merkelbach] is an easy person to mesh with, she just exudes joy and happiness.”
Potterveld said because Merkelbach is only a sophomore, she has more time for improvement.
“She has so many more years ahead of her to grow and develop,” Potterveld said. “The fact that she’s already at her current level after coming off an injury where she was out for a year … [The] sky is the limit for her. She can be one of the best players in this league.”
Contact Arlo Gallati at gallati@oxy.edu
