by Aaron Butts
This Saturday kicks off the new track season with a bang as the Capital University Track and Field team competes at Tiffin this Saturday. Head coach Kunle Lawson explained that this weekend is going to be the first real test for the time, “We’re only going to take a few people who are able to compete this weekend, but we will take everyone for the next meet.”
Lawson also said that he can make predications as to how he thinks the team will do, but he needs to see them in action first. “The sprints are going to be our strongest area,” Lawson said, “with jumps and throws also being very important, but I think we can better determine what our strengths are after this meet.”
One of those athletes is junior runner Caitlin Prange. “I’m excited to see where we stand so far.” Prange said, who is coming off of a small foot injury but is eager to compete, “I really want to run on Saturday. But we still have to figure out a lot of things including how we work together.”
Prange also explained how this year she is setting her sights a little higher, “Last year our women’s four by four team almost qualified for nationals in California. And so now me and Aimee hall are returning and we both have that mindset that we can make it that far.”
Another contender for nationals who is competing this Saturday is senior Erik Barenwald who is competing this weekend and has been working up to this season in hopes of clinching that spot at nationals “I feel like I am prepared for the season,” said Barenwald, “but this meet is really early so I am where I need to be for that, but it is nowhere near what my best is going to be, that’s going to come down the line in February or May.”
Barenwald says that he has a simple solution for individual success this season “Lifting a lot in the offseason and outworking everyone in the OAC.” He said.
According to Barenwald, after coming off of last year’s season in which the men finished last in the OAC, the biggest improvement this season is the team’s mentality. “Everybody wants to be the best.” Barenwald said, “They’re not satisfied with getting last place again, so you are going to see some major improvements in people.”
Prange agreed, “The difference between this year and last year is the mentality. Everyone who is there is there to win.”
Lawson also expressed optimism about the men’s team this season as well, hoping that the team might perform a lot better this year, and definitely perform well individually. “The men’s team is showing a lot more depth and promise than they did at the start of last year.” Lawson said, “We have pretty high expectations for the men’s team.”
After this week on the 8th Capital will be competing at home in the Purple and White Invite which is only one of multiple home meets that Capital will be having in the indoor season “We have four home meets this season which is kind of big for us.” Prange said, “We don’t have an outdoor track so being able to compete at home is nice, especially when you don’t have to wake up at the crack of dawn and drive somewhere. I encourage people to come out and watch, it encourages us as athletes. I want to see more of the student body behind us, just like any other sport would want.”
Lawson agreed, “We would love to get more students and faculty to come and see what the track team does, and see why they work so hard.” He said.
abutts@capital.edu