Track preparing for MIAA finale

Members of the ESU track team will be participating in the Tabour Invitational, the Kansas relays, Athletic Beach Invitational in California, and the SAC relays also in California this weekend. The track team is going to these four separate meets in hopes to improve their strengths.

“These upcoming events are about improving performance. It is that point of the year where we are trying to peak,” head coach Dave Harris said.

Members of the team could not agree more. Members of the track team are even scheduled to trying new events this weekend. Amongst these is senior Jonel Rossenbach.

“My biggest challenge this weekend will probably be pushing myself to the limit. I am running a 10k for the first time and I really have to learn what it is like to push myself and have my body experience something completely new for 25 laps,” Rossbach said. “It’s a different kind of pain from running a 3k or 5k, but I am looking forward to it.”

There are many new challenges to be faced this weekend by the ESU track team. The members expect them to bring these challenges. This weekend’s events will have no team scores, but rather everything will be individually based. All of the members of the track team have high hope for their fellow team mates to do well, and to get the highest score possible.

“There is going to be tough competition, especially because division 1 colleges will be there, but I expect my teammates to do the best they can and achieve their personal bests,” freshman Josh Honeycutt said. Honeycutt is participating in the Kansas Relays in Lawrence.

All events this weekend, as well as the other upcoming events, have one goal in mind and that is to prepare for the MIAA. Harris is looking forward to using the opportunities given them by means of meets, such as the ones this weekend, to prepare in all ways. Members of the team realize the importance of such meets in helping them prepare, and enabling them to keep their focus. The team is heading in with a focus to win, but realizing they must prepare to do so.

“Our goal is to get ready for the MIAA. We have three weeks to be mentally and physically ready,” Harris said.

Whatever happens this weekend, the entire team plans on giving their best in what ever meet they are at. They realize that to prepare for their future goals of doing well at the MIAA on May 3 and 4, they must focus on every practice and meet up until then

“You have to bring your best every time you step on the track if you want to succeed. You have to put everything aside and just run,” freshman Kenton Lonberger said.