The first week of April marks Division III Week, which celebrates the dedication of student athletes at DIII NCAA institutions like Lawrence. It is also the beginning of Spring Term and spring sporting competitions. Athletes trained over spring break to be ready to show up strong for these games and meets!
Coming off of indoor track season, distance athletes prepared for the upcoming outdoor track season with lots of mileage and speed work in their home cities.
“Training over spring break is important to maintain fitness coming into outdoor [track] season,” says Finn Lee, a first-year from Ivins, Utah. Lee also lauded the psychological benefits of the training, saying, “It’s good to focus more on the mental side of running while having to do runs and work out on your own.”
Senior Althea Foster agreed, saying that spring break was a “fun chance to run for myself for a week or so before I get back into the routine of practice with the team.” Foster, who trained among mountains and in high elevation in Colorado during the time off, said her location definitely impacted her running. “It can be hard, but it’s also really fun to look at the snowy foothills.”
Vikings baseball and softball members spent their spring break in Florida, playing 18 games between both teams. Junior Taylor Hughes, a softball infielder from Wausau, recalled how invaluable this training is, saying it gives the team “a chance to try out different lineups and give players many opportunities to learn on and off the field.” Outside of training, the trip allows teams to bond and create shared experiences. “Whether sharing memories by the pool, enjoying a movie night or organizing a pool tournament, every moment counts!” said Hughes.
This weekend will feature big events from all three sports. Outdoor track will be traveling to Carroll University for their season opener at the Wisconsin Private College Championships on Saturday, April 6 (events begin at 11 a.m.). Softball and baseball will face off against Illinois College, Knox College and Grinnell College at home starting Saturday, April 6, with the first game starting at noon.