Byron Watson
News Editor
byron.watson@hawks.shorter.edu
Track and field began their season in early December of 2015, and the teams have begun to compete in meets almost every weekend.
Junior business management major Wake Roberds has competed for the track and field team for three years and looks to help his team out in any way he can.
“This season has been going really well so far, and we have been improving in every meet,” Roberds said. “Right now the men’s team is ranked 20th and the women’s team is ranked sixth.”
Roberds has been running track for 10 years and says the sport has helped him in life outside of his races.
“It has helped my work ethic, and it has taught me how to be a leader and set goals to achieve for the team,” said Roberds.
With the chill of winter still in the air, the track and field team practices indoors. During practice, Roberds works on speed and does basic endurance exercises with the team. On the day of a race, Roberds prepares by stretching and running hour-long warm-ups to stay loose and focused.
Last season, Roberds won the Peach Belt Conference Championship by running the 400m hurdle race in 53.3 seconds and the 800m race in 1:56.
This season Roberds plans to improve as much as possible and hopes to set new records.
“I plan to get better, make it to Nationals, and hopefully score high for my team,” Roberds said.
Coach Scott Byrd, Director of Track and Field/Cross Country, advises the team to run hard and leave everything out on the track.
Roberds encourages his teammates to train and take care of themselves on and off the track. “My main goal is to help my team score points during all the events,” Roberds added.
As of December 2015, the track & field team is competing in the indoor season. The team will begin its outdoor season in March 2016.
