Written by Eli Dean // Photo provided by Brylee Stewart

As the track season gets closer to the halfway point before the Great American Conference (GAC) meet, many athletes from both men’s and women’s teams are looking to start and finish strong during every meet until then to strengthen their times, meters and confidence.

Junior Hazel Jackson is looking to improve on her 9th place GAC finish for pole vaulting from last year and has put in the work to accomplish the goals she has set for herself to help not only herself but the team as well.

“If I had anything to say about how this season is looking, I’d say that we’ve put in a lot of hours this year, from working on strength to technique and everything in between,” Jackson said. “We’re looking for some big personal records this year.”

As for the men’s team, motivation has been a primary focus. Sophomore distance runner Nate Perry said he is trying to improve on his own time as well as looking to improve mentally for the team as a whole. Perry said head track coach Don Hood encourages the team on a regular basis.

“As a team, we are trying to improve on showing up to practice and improving our mindset so that we are more optimistic in our training and more tolerant of our teammates,” Perry said. “Our coaches play a big part in our daily training and races. He reminds us that our hard work and discomfort in training will pay off in the end.”

Junior distance runner Luke Walling said he is hoping to lock in his third straight All-GAC campaign in the 5,000- and 10,000-meter categories and continue to climb up the NCAA provisional rankings at the end of the year. Walling said there are inner challenges every member of the team has faced, but giving yourself motivation is key to being successful as an athlete.

“Sometimes it can be hard to motivate yourself for the hard workouts, but something that helps me is my teammates,” Walling said. “Having a great group of guys around you can make it easy to want to push yourself.”

The bond each member has with one another has been crucial to their success so far, and Walling said the team is leaps and bounds better from when the season started back in December.

“This track team has made such a huge jump in improvements,” Walling said. “The past couple of months, you can just feel that when you’re out on the track at practice. That there is a sense of confidence in this team in every person. And I know from my point of view the distance squad is ready to get on the line and race.”

The next meet for both teams will be in Maryville, Missouri, at Northwest Missouri State University this weekend, Feb. 1-3. The fifth-ranked men’s indoor team and the women’s team will be looking to use the final three meets on their schedule before the NCAA Indoor Championships March 7-8. The outdoor teams will begin their season March 14-15 as the Bisons host the Harding Invitational at the Ted Lloyd Track.