The Wildcats will travel to Des Moines, Iowa, for the most prestigious meet of the season – The Drake Relays. Universities from across the United States will be compete against the ‘Cats in the two-day meet.
Big Div. I programs such as Oklahoma, Texas Tech, Baylor, Georgia, Mississippi, Iowa State, Washington and Ohio State are just some of the teams that will be at the meet. Southland conference rival Stephen F. Austin will also make an appearance in multiple events.
The women’s team is coming off of two impressive meets with sophomore distance runner Alexandria Hackett leading the ‘Cats with a pair of first place victories in the women’s 3,000-meter race. Ray Walker, assistant distance coach for the women’s team, said he thinks the women’s training is going to pay off this weekend.
“I’m expecting fast times and for everyone to run quick this meet,” Walker said. “They have been doing a little bit of speed work, so their turnover is coming along.”
The men’s and women’s teams achieved a combined 19 personal records last weekend in Oklahoma at the John Jacobs Invitational.
If their previous weekends are any indication of their trip to Iowa, the ‘Cats can expect more than one victory in events such as the women’s 3,000-meter race, the men’s short sprint events and men’s and women’s pole vaulting.
The Wildcats have improved with each meet and are excelling during crucial times.
“Each member is going to be running one of the races, and they should feel fresh doing it,” Walker said. “They are training hard and they are very consistent in everything they do on the track.”
With only two more meets until the Southland Conference Outdoor Championships, the men’s and women’s teams are hoping to push themselves to their limits against top Div. I teams to beat their opponents.
Freshman distance runner Ryan Cleary said he feels well prepared and excited for the upcoming meets and knows what they need to work on to maintain success at championships.
“We’re into the peak of our performances,” Cleary said. “And this meet should be a good, early indication of how we will perform at the conference championships in two weeks.”
