This Thursday, the men’s track and field team is hoping to use their CCIW Indoor Conference meet win to propel them to greater expectations as they compete at home in the Augustana Spring Opener meet.
Head coach Paul Olsen described the team is one of the most balanced and deep competitors in the country and looks to score in every event. With All-American underclassmen and upperclassmen returning to continue their success, Olsen plans on staying “always excited, but never surprised”.
“Great teams love to come here and compete,” Olsen said. “We’re good in every event and they won’t kill us in any event.”
Olsen also reflected on how dedicated his athletes are.
“They have a high work ethic, commitment, and enthusiasm,” Olsen said. “Some of the guys had a tough indoor season, but they’re truly inspirational. I don’t want to leave anyone out when I say there’s not a guy on this team I wouldn’t call a role model.”
Olsen goes on to believe that no one is considered a rival team, but instead go in to do what they do and win. A team mantra is “A Celebration of Life”, a belief that they are there in good health to compete in an event they are passionate about, and focusing on the win or loss shouldn’t be the main concern.
Senior and captain Keith Sands is excited to see how the team does with the new events, such as the 3000m Steeplechase, the 4×100 meter relay, and the javelin throw.
“It’s really exciting. We have outdoor events that we don’t compete in indoors that we’re even more successful in,” Keith Sands said, “It’s a very diverse program; every single event is covered and everyone on the team matters.”
Sands also believes this upcoming meet will be successful, but winning is not the goal.
“The goal of this meet is not to win it,” Sands said. “It’s to get some experience and get our feet wet for the outdoor season. There will be much more competition at this meet than there usually is so we’re just ready to start the season out with a bang.”