By Hanna Laue ‘17
Staff Writer
With a new and enthusiastic head coach leading the team, Gordon College Track and Field has high hopes for their spring season.
When asked to compare the past seasons’ dynamics with this years, Captain Corrine Previte ‘17 said, “Honestly, this season is different because of Coach Wikerd (in a good way). I honestly don’t know what we’d do without him. He’s brought this whole team together with his positive and passionate energy towards the sport.”
The Scots began their preseason training in late January in order to prepare themselves not only physically, but mentally as well. Coach Wikerd said, “ [I am preparing my athletes by] hard work, instilling discipline and attention to detail in training, and mental preparation through facing and overcoming adversity in practice.” The team has continued to train outside in the winter conditions, lift weights in the gym and even cross train in the pool once a week.
When asked what are his expectations and goals are for the season, Coach Wikerd said, “My goal is always for each athlete to work hard and improve. I really would like to see the team develop a sense of community and family that will help to build a foundation on which to further grow the program.”
At New England Champions 2016, Previte finished 24th in the 200 meters with a time of 26.91 and 15th in the 400 with a 1:00.29 mark. With this being her last season running for the track team, Previte has high expectations not only for herself, but for the team as well.
“My goal it to qualify for New England’s and break some previous Gordon records that I have. I’d like to make it past New England’s (maybe to the last two qualifying meets), but I’m just taking it one day at a time and letting go and letting God at this point. As a team, my expectations are pretty high. I hope that we have about 10 individuals who qualify for New England’s. I think it is possible with the positive team atmosphere that we have, and all of that is thanks to Coach Wikerd.”
As for the men’s side, Damon Kilgore ‘18 is another athlete to look out for this spring. Last year at New England Champions, Kilgore placed 19th overall in the 1500 meters race with a time of 4:00.02.
The Scots competed in their first meet of the season Saturday March 25 at Wesleyan Spring Break Classic in Middleton, Connecticut. Previte broke her own school record at 26.78 in the 200; Kayla Kroning ‘18 ended sixth in the half-mile; Angie Epplett ‘20 finished first in the 5,000m race with a time of 19:57.12; Colin Ponzani ‘17 finished in the top 10 of the 800 men’s race, and Kilgore’s grabbed fourth place in the 1,500 meter.
The Scots are scheduled to compete at Jim Sheehan Memorial Invitational on Sat. April 1.
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