Excitement levels are high across the team. For two months the team has been practicing and now it is ready to compete. Coach Dan Waters said the team had a great offseason practice.
“I’m most looking forward to seeing our athletes compete as a group for the first time this season,” Waters said. “We had an intra-squad meet in December at the CrossPlex, in which we split up into two units, but it will be good to see how we come out in the opener after working so hard in the offseason. It’s the beginning of another season for us to see where our program is in year four of our staff being here, so it’s always an exciting time.”
Senior Sarah Thomas said she was eager to get back onto the track.
“For me, this is my last season, so I’m definitely excited to get the ball rolling on everything,” she said. “And as far as our team goes, we’ve been training really hard during the fall and it’s all leading up to this moment. We’re all really excited ‘cause the coaches kicked it up a notch. And we’re excited to see what the results heel.”
Thomas said there was an increase in training intensity over the break with an emphasis on higher expectations. She said the coaches push the team more in preparation for conference championships later in the spring.
With the team itching to get back on the track, Waters said the Auburn Invitational will hopefully yield positive results.
“Our expectation is always very simple – we want our athletes to come out with the right mindset, ready to compete and give their best effort,” he said. “To do things the way they know how, and to approach their events with the mindset and the focus that will make them successful. At this point of the season, part of the deal is simply getting back into the swing of indoor competition. That said, we come in with high expectations and the goal of competing to our best level right away.”
