BY CALLY ANDERSON
With only three weeks left to cap off the spring season athletics, both the Fort Hays State University men’s and women’s track and field teams are heading into their only home meet of the season at full throttle. On Friday, both teams will compete at the FHSU Alex Francis Classic with hopes to keep improving on their personal best marks and qualify for nationals.
This season, both the men’s and women’s teams are a telling sign of years of training and hard work paying off. Junior pole vaulter Ryan Stanley agrees that this has been a rewarding and fun track season.
“Many of us have been putting in consistent work for two, three, or even four years, and we are seeing that fruit this season,” Stanley said. “We have seen so many school records go down throughout the season and we still have [MIAA] Conference and Nationals.”
In preparation for this season, consistency in training and mental preparation are two key factors that have played in the athlete’s overall success. Going into her second outdoor season, sophomore javelin thrower Addie Berens believes in relying on these factors.
“Some meets go better than others so having mental toughness is key to get back in the groove for the following meets,” Berens said.
Going into their lone home meet of the season, athletes across both teams are excited to prove they deserve to be at some of the highest national rankings that either the men’s or women’s team have received. Nationally in Division II, the men are ranked 18th and the women are ranked 15th entering Friday
“We have been training and practicing all year and we finally get to show off our skills during the outdoor season,” Berens said in agreement of wanting to attest to the team’s rankings.
The track and field athletes will hit the ground running as each athlete is looking to obtain a new personal best, a provisional mark, or hit a national qualifier. Stanley encourages FHSU students and the community to come out and support.
“We really appreciate the energy that can be brought to the sport. It helps so much to have people helping you run the race/jump/throw,” he said.
The meet begins at 1:30 on Friday at the FHSU Track and Field Facility.