Written by Eli Dean // Graphic by Ben Evans

While the indoor track team pushes through the last few meets of its season, the outdoor track team is ramping up practices in preparation for the start of the season, including several provisionals before they begin their season March 14.

Senior Dakarai Bush helped set a school record along with other teammates in the 4×400-meter relay Feb. 10 and has his eyes set on global recognition after placing first nationally in DII in the individual 400-meter race last season.

“As a team, I feel like you are way more mature than last year,” Bush said. “I’m looking forward to improving my 400-meter time so I can qualify for Olympic trials and possibly make a team for the US.”

Multiple indoor track athletes are working on finishing their season and getting ready for the outdoor portion of the schedule as the weather gets warmer this spring. Freshman Everett Mumme said he has had a successful indoor season and is looking forward to improving his pole vaulting scores to get to the next level.

“Through this indoor season, I was able to set personal records twice in the pole vault,” Mumme said. “It was a lot of fun competing with my awesome teammates, and I hope to get the qualifying mark for Nationals during the outdoor season.”

Among other teammates, one who is ramping up his work as an outdoor track team member is sophomore Casen Hammitt. Hammitt, who placed first in the javelin throw at the Great American Conference championships last season, is preparing to make a run at defending his title.

“Lots of people think track is simply an individual sport,” Hammitt said. “In reality, it’s very much a team sport. Yes, we each have to compete individually, but ultimately it takes every athlete performing at the best of their ability to win. The team as a whole has been grinding all fall, as well as the first half of this spring semester, to get better.”

Aside from the individual achievements Hammitt and the rest of the team will be up for this spring, Hammitt said there are a lot of different areas he and the rest of the team is looking to improve on, from on the track to in the classroom.

“Much bigger than winning, though, the coaching staff and athletes truly care about helping grow the hearts of young men and women,” Hammitt said. “Whether that is in the classroom, in relationships, in work settings, marriages, the track itself and in our faith journeys … we are surrounded by a community that chases after teaching us what it means to be the best version of ourselves; the version our father in heaven desires for us.”