The men and women’s track team competed in the Augustana Viking Olympics on March 29. The men’s team placed first and the women’s team took second place. With the success at this home meet came many event accomplishments. The women’s 4×100 relay team beat Augustana’s record set in 2007, by Theresa Suwannapal, Kali Minkler, Ainsley Fedler and Keli Coleman with a time of 0:47.89. This years’ team consisted of freshman, Amanda Peterson, sophomores, Katelyn Eastburn and Hannah Willhite, and senior, Sydney Zaragoza. They ran a time of 0:47.87 and the relay team showed excitement when talking about their feelings of breaking the eleven-year record.
“It feels amazing to be apart of an amazing group that has finally taken the record down. I have been apart of the 4×100 relay since my freshmen year, and it truly is a blessing to take the record down,” Zaragoza said.
Zaragoza and Willhite had similar views on how they felt about their accomplishments because they have worked hard on the Augie team for years to achieve this record.
“It felt amazing to have beaten that record. Last year, we worked hard to get the record but weren’t able to get there, but with the work all of us have done to get where we are, it feels great to know we will have that record,” Willhite agreed.
Having a positive feeling as well, Eastburn said, “Honestly, it was a surprise to all of us. I think it showed us how much depth we have as a relay if we broke the school record the first time we were able to run together. I’m so excited to see what we can accomplish the rest of the outdoor season!”
Eastburn also mentioned how they plan to keep up the success as the spring season continues.
“I believe it comes down to the little things. If we continue to take care of ourselves and train hard, the success will follow,” Eastburn said.
Along with the relay team’s success, the team has many goals set in order to make this a great outdoor season.
Willhite said, “Some goals of mine for my team and for myself would be to win our conference meet and to make it to nationals. I know we can do it! Some things that I am looking forward to is Drake relays, it will be a really cool experience to run again with these girls.”
Zaragoza summed up the team’s goals for the season overall.
“A couple of goals I think the overall team has is to win a conference championship, send more women to Nationals and take down more records. Some may say that these are lofty, but with the young talent that we have, I think anything is possible,” Zaragoza said.
The women’s track & field team will compete next at the Benedictine Eagle Relays in Lisle, IL on April 13 & 14.