The track and field teams just competed in a huge weekend where a select group of athletes traveled to Des Moines, Iowa, for the Drake Relays, one of the premier events in collegiate track and field. Meanwhile, the rest of the squad stayed busy at the Kip Janvrin Open in Indianola, Iowa, on April 24-25, before heading to Galesburg, Illinois, for the Drake Alternative the next day.
“Drake Relays is a massive stage, and it’s exciting to have teammates qualify to compete there,” junior transfer Benjamin Char said. “But everyone, no matter where they’re competing, is fired up to perform.”
The weekend brought several standout performances. Senior Lina Maatouk broke her own school record in the 800m, clocking a time of 2:07.46, becoming just one of two Division-III athletes to finish inside the top ten, while senior Joe Langridge set a new program mark in the 3000m steeplechase with a time of 8:54.45. In the relays, the Vikings also set a new record in the sprint medley, finishing second.
At the Drake Alternative, both the men’s and women’s teams combined for 38 personal best marks and 13 event wins. Senior Carson Kekelik won the 100m event with a personal best time of 13.26, while sophomore Ryan Jednachowski won the 1,500m run with a lifetime-best time of 5:09:91, which was almost six seconds faster than second place.
As athletes fan out across the region, the weekend marks a major checkpoint for the team’s progress. With only a few regular-season meets left, performances this week could set the tone for conference and national competition. Junior Mitch Dolynchuk expressed his enthusiasm, noting how the team’s collective growth and mutual support stand out.
“It’s very exciting to see the amount of improvement across the team in every event,” Dolynchuk said. “I am excited to have some more opportunities on the track to put my best effort out there, and I will be cheering all of my teammates on as the season comes to a close.”
Much of the team’s success this spring has been built on a strong culture of hard work and support. Athletes say the environment pushes them to show up every day with purpose.
“Our coaching staff has set a tone where everyone feels valued and pushed to be their best,” junior Ben Char said. “It’s easy to work hard when you know the people around you believe in you.”
The team has focused on mental toughness as much as physical preparation. Grueling practices have instilled confidence that athletes will carry into competition. Junior Charlotte Frere, a national champion last year and currently one of the top-ranked discus throwers in the nation, knows firsthand how pushing limits in practice translates to growth when it matters most.
“Good competition makes you better,” Frere said. “Competing against people at my level or higher motivates me to be more competitive and reach for higher goals. Knowing I’m not the best thrower at the meet going in puts some good pressure on me that has the potential to be something really good.”
Both the men’s and women’s teams will take time to prepare for the CCIW Outdoor Championships, which will be held this weekend on May 2-3, in Naperville, IL.