The men and women’s track and field teams are ready to kick off the indoor season this weekend. The Maroons will be hosting the Phoenix Invitational on Saturday, January 13. At last year’s invitational, the men and women’s teams had a clean sweep, both placing first among six teams. Continuing the legacy and winning the gold again is the goal for the Maroons as they head into the weekend’s meet.
The meet will mark the start of the 2018 track and field season, and the Ma
roons are excited for what is to come. Second-year sprinter Mary Martin shared her excitement. “The meet is our season opener so it’s going to be a gauge of how winter training went. It will give us the first real insight into how our team is looking this year.”
Second-year polevaulter Michelle Biesman echoes her teammate’s sentiments. “We are all really excited for this weekend as we’ve been training since the summer. Each season brings its challenges and successes, and our coaches are careful to make sure we improve in all aspects.” The meet will be a great starting point for the Maroons, as they will use it to determine what they still need to work on as they continue the season.
Although it’s the first meet, the Maroons are prepared and determined to perform well. “I liked this meet last year because even though it is the first meet and people don’t really expect much as they blow off the cobwebs and get back into the swing of things, there still tend to be some amazing performances,” Martin continued. This weekend Martin will be participating in the 60m and 4x400m relay.
The Maroons are constantly focused on improving, both as individuals and as a team. “We are a goal-oriented team with a great dynamic,” added Biesman. “Despite having individual events, track and field is a team-oriented sport as we push one another in workouts and are cheerleaders for eachother.”
Looking ahead, the Maroons have set clear goals for the season. Improving from last year is a must for the Maroons, and every day is a chance to improve. “I think the main aim of this year is to win conference, especially on the women’s side. Our conference rival, Washington University in St. Louis, graduated some of their best athletes last year, which really should open up the competition,” said Martin.
“With our team’s skills, we will be successful and hopefully win UAA’s, the conference meet, as well as send a large group to the NCAA’s, the national meet,” continued Biesman. “Up to this point, we have trained really hard, and we are ready to compete, achieve our goals, and reach new heights as a team.”
This weekend will be the team’s chance to prove themselves. The meet will take place in Henry Crown Fieldhouse at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday.
