The Joys of Indoor Track and Field

On Friday, Jan. 20, the Nebraska Wesleyan Track and Field Team competed in its own invitational at the Devaney Sports Center on UNL's campus. The meet featured 15 teams from Division I, Division II, and NAIA conferences throughout the Midwest.  Jack Chatelain, a junior, and Tommie Bardsley, a sophomore, won individual events for the Prairie Wolves. Chatelain won the triple jump with a leap of 45-8.5, and Bardsley cleared 6-8.25 to win the high jump.

Hannah Kinberg and Katie Schoen also posted strong performances for NWU. Kinberg won the 5,000 meter run while posting the fourth best time in NCAA III this season. Schoen tied for the second best jump in NCAA III this season with a leap of 5-7. The jump also landed Schoen third on NWU's all-time chart.

The chaotic atmosphere of indoor tracks lasts from Jan. 13 to Mar. 10 for the Prairie Wolves, and the athletes have to return to campus before the rest of the student population. Taylor Tacha, a junior All-Conference hurdler, stated that "indoor practices are hectic, but fun (because) there are a lot of athletes in a very small space." Knight Field House has to hold jumpers, pole vaulters, hurdlers, sprinters, and distance runners all at the same time during the indoor track season, but Tacha believes that the tight space makes the team come together. Jay Wall, an All-American pole vaulter, stated that the best part of the indoor track season is the environment; spectators are packed closer together, and all the events are taking place in one area creating a loud, competitive setting. Tacha noted that UNL's Devaney Center has a large seating capacity and a high quality track making it an "incredible place to compete."

Tacha and Wall noted that competing indoors benefits the athletes because they do not have to worry about weather. However, the small track size is harder on their knees, back, and feet. NWU's track team returns to campus before other students, and Jay Wall said that returning early is awesome because "campus is very peaceful, and we get to enjoy some bonding time with our teammates as well as some of the basketball players." Tacha highlighted the fact that the athletes do "nothing all day except practice and eat at Hy-Vee, which is a pretty great deal!" The focus on preparing for the upcoming indoor and outdoor seasons sets the tone for successful performances throughout the year. Wall believes that "NWU track is truly a team sport. We support each other a lot and really enjoy being around each other." The next two indoor meets will be held Feb. 4 and Feb. 25 at Knight Field House.