by Britney Weber
Staff Writer
We see them out running nearly every day, whether it is warm or cold, sunny, raining or snowing. Sometimes even twice a day. They put hours into training their bodies, toning their muscles and refining their movements. P90X is a common phrase in their vocabulary. Nearly every weekend they trade extra sleep for long bus rides. Ice baths and ice wraps are routine. Even in the summer they receive emails outlining the workouts they are to complete.
All because they love running.
It’s no wonder with this high level of dedication that the Bryan College Track & Field team continues to set records. This season promises to be no different.
With three records and a runner-up finish already under their belts, the Lions’ season looks promising.
Last weekend, the Lions traveled to Winston-Salem, N.C., to compete in the two-day Wake Forest Open at Kentner Stadium.
Redshirt freshman Alyssia Lindsay set school records in the women’s 1,500 and 800-meter runs. Friday afternoon Lindsay ran a personal best of 2:27.70 in the 800-meter. In her 1,500-meter run the following day she took sixth in section five at 5:02.33, according to the Lion’s website.
“[Lindsay] has come a long way in a short time and has a bright future,” said head coach Rodney Stoker.
Senior Josh Bradley took second out of 120 in the men’s 800-meter run with a season best of 1:51.89. Bradley’s time qualifies him for the NAIA Outdoor Track & Field Championship at the end of May.
Junior Zach Buffington also finished with a qualifying time for the championship while setting a school record for the 10,000 meter with a time of 32:02.90.
Freshman Jason McLeod won the fourth section of the men’s 1,500 meter run with a personal best of 4:03.64. McLeod also ran a personal best the previous evening in the men’s 5,000 meter with a time of 15:42.26.
“To sum it up, it was a great weekend for our athletes. Buffington’s 10k record was impressive and his fitness and confidence are at an all-time high. [McLeod] continues to improve and set the tone for our freshmen athletes,” said Stoker.
“We can only benefit from aiming high,” said Stoker. “We hope to do well at the conference championship in mid April, but it will tough to finish high without an entire squad. We have the middle distance races covered and have one jumper and hurdler on the men’s side, but to do well you need all the event areas covered and that is something that is challenging.”
Keeping the team healthy is also always a concern. Shin splints and pulled muscles, among other injuries, are nearly inevitable when running an average of 60 or more miles a week.
“Any time you train at a high level and push the volume or intensity it can lead to injuries,” said Stoker. “We are a pretty cautious group, but you do start to take more chances with the training as the outdoor season progresses.”
Bryan will travel to Nashville for Vanderbilt University’s Black & Gold Challenge on March 27.