The ACU track and field team will kick-off the indoor season this weekend when they head to the land of the Aggies to compete at the Texas A&M Reveille Invitational.
“The athletes are definitely prepared for the competition this weekend,” assistant coach Ray Walker said, “Everyone has been putting in work since last semester and it will show today and Saturday.”
ACU will be competing against several schools including A&M, Houston, Texas Christian University and Stephen F. Austin. The women’s distance team will be heading to college station as well. The last time they were here they had a solid third place team finish with junior Alexandria Hackett placing second in a field of 147 runners. The women’s and men’s distance team’s will both be focused on finishing top in their races.
90 percent of the Wildcat team will be traveling this weekend.
“Everyone is eligible. We are sitting a few athletes out, but they will most likely compete at Houston in two weeks,” Walker said.
Sophomore sprinter from St. Lucia, Corniel Lionel will be competing for ACU this season after having to run unattached due to academic reason last semester. He finished in the top 10 over winter break we he competed at the A&M Invitational. He was the only Wildcat to compete, moving him into the program’s all-time top-10 performer list.
Prior to the season beginning, head coach Keith Barnier had some health problems that required hospitalization. Unfortunately he will not be traveling with the Wildcat’s this weekend.
“Coach Barnier is sitting this one out. He is staying back for health reasons, but he will definitely be there in spirit and watching online,” Walker said.
Both the men’s and women’s team will be competing against high-caliber teams across the board but this is exactly what the athletes have been preparing for.
“I expect them to compete and be relevant against the competitors this weekend.,” Walker said, “They have shown that they have just as much talent as some of the top schools in the nations, and now is time to show it on the track.”
ACU added a handful of new faces to the team in an array of events including sprints, jumps and throws. One of the new faces is actually a familiar face in Jonathan Epps. Epps has shown interest in the team since last year and is currently training for the NFL combine. He will be competing in the 60 and 200-meter sprints.
Field and running events start 4:30 Friday afternoon with the distance medley relay first followed by the 5000 meter run. All other events begin at noon on Saturday.
