Feb. 1, 2016
Hannah Harvey
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Indoor track and field is a fast-paced program, and that’s not just because the student athletes are runners.
The track and field program is looking to expand as they recruit and add more focus to their sprinters, jumpers and throwers to go with their already successful distance runners.
Brandon Masters, named track and field head coach in September, took over the coaching of students who compete as sprinters, jumpers and throwers this spring.
Training for these events is focused on growth and individuality, according to Masters.
“We definitely do individualized training because every event group is different,” he said.
Most of the sprinters, jumpers and throwers currently on the team are training and saving their eligibility for competition next year. Both the men’s and women’s teams are currently in a developmental stage as they expand to include more events and athletes on their roster.
Corey Kubatzky, head women’s cross country and middle distance track and field coach, explained the approach to this year’s indoor season.
“Right now, we’re focusing on individual events in track and field; we’re not trying to win the conference team title right now, but that will change next year,” said Kubatzky.
For now, the teams are mainly distance focused. The men’s team is primarily working on long distance events, while the women’s team is focused on middle distance.
“Our main focus right now is training; outdoor track is what’s most important in the grand scheme of things,” said men’s cross country and distance/middle distance head coach Mark Misch.
On the other hand, the women’s team is focusing on the distance medley relay this year. The team has enjoyed recent success in the form of sophomore Molly Klotz, who was the conference champion in the outdoor 400-meter hurdles last year.
“We have five girls who are really strong in middle distance,” said Kubatzky.
Both the men’s and women’s track and field teams are back in action Feb. 6 at the Western State Alumni Open in Gunnison, Colo.