02/15/08
The Valentine’s Pentathlon and Mini Meet in Lamoni, Iowa, gave a group of Baker track team members a chance to gain experience leading up to the Heart of America Athletic Conference championships.
“I’m pleased with the results,” coach Zach Kindler said. “We just need to continue to improve into the outdoor season.”
Last weekend’s meet was designed mostly for multi-event athletes and events such as the pole vault. Only a portion of the team made the journey, while the rest of the athletes had a recovery week.
Some of the competition included Graceland University and St. Ambrose University.
“I think we are better than we were last year,” sophomore Matt James said.
He added that the team has been training more to be at its best for the outdoor season.
Sophomore Ashlee Miller won the pentathlon, which includes the 80-meter hurdles, shot put, high jump, long jump and the 800-meter race. Sophomore Aaron Hannon placed second in the heptathlon, which is the 60-meter run, long jump, shot put, high jump, 60-meter hurdles, pole vault and the 1000-meter race.
James said that this indoor season would be a good indicator of how the team would do against the tougher outdoor competition.
The Wildcats placed first through fifth in the pole vault competition with junior Chelsey Ornburn winning the event.
Only six pole vault competitors came from Baker, with the other athletes coming from Graceland.
“I’m pleased with where we are at right now,” Kindler said. “We are steadily progressing to where we need to be.”
The indoor track season is nearly finished with just one more meet before the conference championships and then nationals.
Kindler is hoping that most of the members will peak late in the outdoor season for the outdoor conference championships and for some the outdoor nationals.
“In workouts we are realizing the importance of what we are doing,” sophomore Katey Wegemer said. “Indoor, in theory, is a practice, and the outdoor season is where we want to peak.”
The sprinters have proven to be a strong part of the team with much success, although Kindler feels the team is strong across the board.
The final meet before the conference championships is the Nebraska Wesleyan University Triangular in Lincoln, Neb., Saturday. Teams will include Baker, Nebraska Wesleyan and Hastings College.
It will be the final chance for track members to gain experience and find out what they need to work on for the conference championships.