Track and Field
Ryan Strickland
Issue date: 3/3/07 Section: Sports
- Page 1 of 1
The Hendrix Men's and Women's Track and Field seasons are now underway; both teams have been practicing and have already competed in two meets, both at Rhodes College.
This year's team is facing a challenge of experience. With only five upperclassmen and no seniors, the Track and Field teams are mostly composed of freshmen who are still developing their skills and learning to compete at the college level. However, Coach Patrick MacDonald is pleased with the effort from the team.
"Everyday they're showing up to work hard and smart. We've got a lot of energy," MacDonald said.
Macdonald does not see the young team as a disadvantage. The energy level is high and it gives the team a solid foundation.
"There's lots of raw talent to work with," MacDonald said.
Lacking upperclassmen has not hurt performance, though. Sophomore Laura Broederdorf has been performing well in the 10,000 meter run, finishing sixth with a 40:20.61 time in her last meet. Freshman Jerry Maldonado has dominated the High Jump. In the last meet, he cleared the 1.98-meter (6 ft. 6 in.) bar with ease before missing three times at 2.04 meters. Maldonado placed second in the meet, barely missing the qualifying height for Nationals by 1.5 inches. Maldonado also broke the school High-Jump record by five inches in the last meet. In the 400 meter, freshman Caitlin McGeehan has posted times that have placed her third in the conference.
MacDonald has high hopes for the year, but ultimately, he wants the level of competitiveness to increase as the season progresses.
"It's important to arrive at the Conference championship with internal momentum and compete hard," MacDonald said.
Strong performances this year have come through hard work by the team, but partially from the new track complex. This is the first year that our Track and Field teams have had use of the College's new track.
"Our new complex is far superior to any other in Central Arkansas. Statewide, only the Hogs have it better…" MacDonald said.
The new complex has made this year's practice time far superior to years past.
"Last year we were at Conway High, where we had to share it with high school and junior high track, as well as spring football practice," MacDonald said. "It was ridiculous."
This year's team is facing a challenge of experience. With only five upperclassmen and no seniors, the Track and Field teams are mostly composed of freshmen who are still developing their skills and learning to compete at the college level. However, Coach Patrick MacDonald is pleased with the effort from the team.
"Everyday they're showing up to work hard and smart. We've got a lot of energy," MacDonald said.
Macdonald does not see the young team as a disadvantage. The energy level is high and it gives the team a solid foundation.
"There's lots of raw talent to work with," MacDonald said.
Lacking upperclassmen has not hurt performance, though. Sophomore Laura Broederdorf has been performing well in the 10,000 meter run, finishing sixth with a 40:20.61 time in her last meet. Freshman Jerry Maldonado has dominated the High Jump. In the last meet, he cleared the 1.98-meter (6 ft. 6 in.) bar with ease before missing three times at 2.04 meters. Maldonado placed second in the meet, barely missing the qualifying height for Nationals by 1.5 inches. Maldonado also broke the school High-Jump record by five inches in the last meet. In the 400 meter, freshman Caitlin McGeehan has posted times that have placed her third in the conference.
MacDonald has high hopes for the year, but ultimately, he wants the level of competitiveness to increase as the season progresses.
"It's important to arrive at the Conference championship with internal momentum and compete hard," MacDonald said.
Strong performances this year have come through hard work by the team, but partially from the new track complex. This is the first year that our Track and Field teams have had use of the College's new track.
"Our new complex is far superior to any other in Central Arkansas. Statewide, only the Hogs have it better…" MacDonald said.
The new complex has made this year's practice time far superior to years past.
"Last year we were at Conway High, where we had to share it with high school and junior high track, as well as spring football practice," MacDonald said. "It was ridiculous."
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