Spirits are running high on the Lawrence University men’s and women’s outdoor track teams as they head into the MWC Championships at Monmouth this coming weekend. The teams, as well as Head Coach Jason Fast, have high expectations.
Fast commented they would be relying on several athletes to score major points for both the men’s and women’s teams.
“Rose Tepper is the defending outdoor conference champion in the high jump, and we expect her to do it again. In other events, freshman Erica Schmidt should do well for us and score in the discus. Freshman Anna Ratliff and senior Annie Sullivan should also score some points for the team in the 10K,” commented Fast. “On the men’s side, Sam Stevens will play a big role in the success of our team. He is ranked in three different events, and although we aren’t sure which events he will do at the meet, we will need him to do well for the team. David Zane will also be a big contributor for the men, as he should net points in both the 10K and steeplechase.”
Senior Annie Sullivan, upon reflecting on the team’s season, said that it “has definitely been more successful than last year.”
“I’m excited to see what we can do this year at the conference meet,” commented Sullivan. “Both the men’s and women’s teams are hoping for higher finishes than last year.”
On the men’s side, David Zane said that he felt the team was in a “great position to do well at conference this year,” noting that while the team doesn’t necessarily have the depth necessary to compete with the top teams in the conference, they do “have a great group of talented and motivated athletes whose efforts will likely place us higher than we have in the past few years.”
Fast expressed similar sentiments concerning the depth of the teams’ rosters, but also said he felt the efforts of the talented and motivated athletes would allow them to do well. “Our team goal for both the men’s and women’s teams is to be top seven in the conference,” said Fast.
Stevens said that it was great to see how the team evolved this year, and that they managed to stay competitive this season despite uncooperative weather. Stevens noted that he was disappointed with his performance at the conference meet last year, and that it has really motivated him to do well at this year’s meet.
“Even with the bad weather this year slowing down races, I have been able to place myself in the top three in the conference for multiple events, so I am planning on going out and competing to win multiple races this weekend,” commented Stevens.
Stevens went on to say that the MWC Championships is the meet that the teams really focus on each year, and that he hopes they will be able to end the outdoor track season “on a strong note as a team.”