The Track and Field Bears sprinted to Fayetteville to compete at the Arkansas Spring Invitational in Fayetteville, April 11, earning multiple top-five finishes in the process.
Coach Josey Weaver said, “We approached [the meet] just as we would another meet. We can only control what we can control.”
Women’s Track & Field were on top of their game this meet, with many athletes gaining top marks.
Freshman Lydia Butler finished first place in the women’s 1500-meter run with a time of 4:42.13, the highest mark achieved by the Bears at this meet.
Senior Joy Nance came in close in second place at the shot-put, with a distance of 13.75 meters.
Other stand-out players include freshmanJane Musengwa and senior Serena Degollado, taking fourth and sixth respectively at the women’s shot-put.
“We are in a solid place right now,” Weaver said. “Our goals are always geared towards the post season. Right now we are on a good track to reach them.”
Many of the players used this meet to help reach personal records and achieve individual goals.
Junior Brenae Allen said, “Still coming from the indoor season, I have been working on my top-end speed for the longer races.”
Allen claimed fifth in the women’s 200-meter with a time of 23.68.
“I’m super proud of all my moments, good or bad, “ Allen said. “Overall, I’m proud of my improvement mentally more than physically.”
The men also managed to shine in their performances, with Jaden Schneeberger earning second place in the men’s shot put with a 17.42 meter throw.
Eli Jones, Michael Savariau and Nathan Uptagrafft showcased purple dominance with all three having a top 10 finish in the discus.
“The competition is always ourself,” Weaver said.
Junior Cole Hungate said he’s proud of his own personal records he broke, achieving a 4.75 meter distance in pole vault that landed him in sixth place.
“As I approached a personal record, the nerves came back, but I trusted my coaches and focused on execution,” Hungate said. “I’ve endured lots of hardships to earn [the record].”
Men’s track & field sophomores made sure to impress, with Ky Bickford finishing second in the 800 meter run with a time of 1:51.99 and Maverick Walker finishing fourth in the long jump with a 7.41 meter distance.
Junior Jack Dingman came out on top with a smooth fifth place finish in the 1500 meter, making a time of 3:50.14.
Weaver said this meet was an important step forward to continue on the season.
“We take lessons away every time we compete. Today will be no different. I do believe our team got to grow in their racing experience today,” Weaver said.
Right now, the team is looking towards the Bryan Clay Invitational beginning on April 16 and the Little Rock Invitational the next day.
“We took a step forward this weekend. Our full team is back, competing with purpose. Now it’s about refining, improving and pushing the standard as postseason approaches,” Weaver said. “We’re not there yet, and that’s exactly the point.”
