With the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) Indoor Championship and outdoor season just around the corner for the Hamline Track and Field team, they are racing to the finish line.
With both the Men’s and Women’s Track & Field teams topping the charts at all of their events they are sure to make quite an impression come their first of two MIAC Championships approaching on Feb. 28-March 1, but some notable events are happening before the championships have even begun.
Junior Brooke Tracya thrower for the Hamline Women’s Track & Field team, shared how she was feeling on the season so far via email commenting,
“So far this season, I’m feeling pretty good. We’re getting towards the end of the season and all of our hard work before now is starting to pay off. There’s a lot of people on our team who are seeing great results and I’m excited to see what else our team can accomplish.” Tracy said.
One of the most notable successes from the Track & Field team so far this season comes from the St.Thomas Invitational on Jan. 17 where first-year Ricky Kwabena Yawson, at his very first collegiate meet, broke a 10 year long school record for the 60-meter dash. with a time of 6.95. The previous record was held by 2016 graduate Tom Larson since 2015 when he scored a time of 6.99 in the 60-meter dash.
“Right after I broke it they took a picture and they put it on Instagram. I mean it felt great, you know? Like I was happy at that moment but I know there is more to improve this being my first time and all,.” Kwabena Yawson said.
Kwabena Yawson then went on to not only tie his new record at his second college race at the Macalester Vanessa Seljeskog Classic but to break this record yet again, beating his first record in the 60-meter dash with a final time of 6.94. On that Saturday, Feb. 8 at the Luther Invitational, Kwabena Yawson’s new Hamline University record put him in first place for the Men’s 60-meter dash.
“I’m super excited for that. My first MIAC track season. Like there are loads of guys who’s good and in other schools as well and I can’t wait to compete against them because it’s… it’s a tough season. I mean it’s not horrible or anything, it’s just exciting,” Kwabena Yawson said, “I’m super ready for it. The coaches are training me like every day. Stretching, sprinting everything so I think I’m super ready for that.”
For both the Men’s and Women’s Track & Field teams this season has proven to bring many successes to the table with personal bests being made left and right. Every race this season has come with multiple personal bests and Luepke also made sure to mention how excited she was for her team’s success.
“The amount of records that people are breaking this season is actually crazy. It’s so exciting to see what MIACs is going to do and everything.” Luepke said.
With the nicer weather melting the snow away, that could only mean one thing for the Hamline Track & Field teams: the outdoor season is dashing towards them.
Luepke gave her thoughts on the nearing outdoor season by revealing,
“I like outdoor way more than indoor. You don’t feel as claustrophobic. It’s just so much nicer to just breathe cuz there are so many people in just one little space.”
Tracy also made her thoughts and feelings known about the outdoor Track & Field season.
“I’m excited for [the outdoor season.] It gives us another opportunity to compete and the events are a little different. It’s always fun to get outside and throw hammers. I don’t really have a preference between the two. However, if I had to pick I’d probably pick outdoor. Honestly, sometimes depends on the weather. Cold rainy meets aren’t the greatest, but when the weather is great—outdoor can be super fun,” Tracy said.