The ACU men and women’s track team has a dynasty to protect this 2013 season, and so far they have proved their worth only two meets in.
The teams split up, traveling just north of Colorado Springs, Co. to the Air Force Academy Invitational as well as Albuquerque, New Mexico at the New Mexico Invitational this past Saturday to show they have what it takes to regain their powerhouse status. There were many highlights, but a few really stood out among the rest. The team combined for three first place victories, 19 NCAA provisional results, two automatic qualifiers in the All-America veteran Amanda Ouedraogo in the triple jump, and freshman Elea Diarra in the 400 meter dash.
“Elea and a lot of the other freshmen stepped up hitting some great marks for nationals,” said assistant track and field coach Jerrod Cook. “She is a huge asset to the program, and a blessing to have her here.”
Chloe Susset, the team’s mile runner, has made a name for herself ranked third in the nation with her mile time down to 5:00.29
“My time is converted at 4:53 which is good for a first meet, but I definitely need to improve because that might not even get into nationals. I’m happy with the position I’m in at the moment,” Susset said.
Ouedraogo ranked second in D-II, qualified for the second straight meet. Her paramount performance at last year’s New Balance Invitational in New York City was the defining moment in her exceptional career here.
ACU’s track and field head coach Roosevelt Lofton and assistant track and field coach Jerrod Cook are pleased, to say the least, about the performances from their athletes so far this season. As ACU jumps to the Southland Conference at the D-I level next year, they have already started to build the program. The team added some new faces in nine freshmen.
Coach Lofton made it clear he has high hopes for them as the future of the program continues to improve each year.
The team will be headed to the Big Apple this weekend to compete in the New Balance Invitational, where Ouedraogo will feast her eyes upon another personal best jump.
