The NMU Women’s Indoor Track and Field team’s season has officially begun. The ’Cats started their 2010-2011 season off with a bang at the St. Scholastica Mini Meet in Duluth, Minn. on Dec. 4. Even though the event was not scored, that didn’t stop the ’Cats from showing just how much talent the team really possesses.
Head Coach Tom Barnes said that the team is looking at its best and intends to see the team go far this year.
“Even though we have only had one meet so far this year, this team is just looking outstanding,” Barnes said. “I am very impressed with how well we are doing in our sprints and jumps. Those areas we are especially strong in. There is always room for improvement, but believe me, there isn’t much that needs improving.”
The ’Cats broke six school records at the St. Scholastica Mini Meet, two of which were ranked top 10 in the country.
Junior Catherine Angeli participated in both the 55m with a time of 7.36 and the 200m with a time of 25.77. Sophomore Mariah Beaman participated in shot put with a mark of 10.53m. Junior Bailey Franklin participated in three events, 55m hurdles which was 8.52, high jump 1.62m, and the triple jump, which had Franklin ranked 2nd in the country, was 11.89m. Freshman Jamie Roberts participated in the pole vault, which was 3.67m, ranking her 4th in the country in that event. Sophomore Colby West participated in the 300m dash with a time of 43.03. Freshman Samara White participated in the long jump for 5.37m.
Sophomore Bailey Franklin is also excited about this track season starting and agrees that the team is ready for any challenge that is given to them.
“We have so much talent on this team this year and, just from our first meet alone, we proved that we are ready to face any challenges that may come our way this year,” Franklin said. “Right now the team’s main focus is just training hard and getting prepared for the LSSU Opening and the NMU Northern Challenge.”
The ’Cats have had over a month off to train and practice for two big meets coming up. The ’Cats will travel to Sault Ste. Marie on Jan. 21 for the LSSU Open Tournament at 4 p.m. where they will be participating in 10 different events going up against Lake State, Northwood, and Wisconsin-Parkside.
The ’Cats will then be returning to Marquette to host the NMU Northern Challenge on Jan 22 at 11 a.m. The NMU Northern Challenge will be the ’Cats’ only home meet this season where they will take on Lake State, Northwood, Wisconsin-Parkside, St. Norbert, and Michigan Tech.
Head coach Tom Barnes says both meets will have some very good competition, but we feel very confident that his team will do very well in both events.
“Both meets will have some very good competitors and will give us a chance to show everyone what we are made of,” Barnes said. “All I can tell you is that right now, the way our team is prepared physically and mentally, anyone we do go against, we will give them a battle, a battle that we intend to win.”
