Caitlin Dorsch ~ Copy Desk Chief
After a stellar weekend at the College of William and Mary’s Colonial Relays in Williamsburg, Va., the University of Lynchburg men’s and women’s track and field program is looking with high spirits at the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) Championships. The ODAC Championships will be held at Randolph College in Lynchburg, Va., on Fri., April 19, and Sat., April 20. But, before getting too antsy to compete in the Championships, the team is looking to make some final touches at the Randolph WildCat Invitational at Randolph College in Lynchburg, Va.
Sophomore distance runner, Kaitlyn Johnson, insists, “Leading up to ODAC’s, the culture of the team is so high energy in all of the event areas. The pressure of going in as favorites is alleviated by the fact that everyone is hitting their stride at the perfect time, we’ve seen so many top marks and amazing performances this season and it just adds to the hype for the championship in two weeks.”
The closeness of the team allows each individual member of the team to excel in their performances. “I have worked very hard to get to the point I am at today. When I first joined the team, I wanted to go to Nationals [as an ultimate goal], but it felt like an unobtainable, far-off goal. However, after I got to know the team and showed them that I was willing to work, they started off giving me the confidence that I could be great. Also, seeing past teammates go to Nationals [by scoring on top of the ODAC for one of my events] had always been a motivator for me because I saw the experiences they had. Coaches were also very supportive, making sure that I knew what it was going to take to get to that next level. I am very thankful for my family, my coaches, and my past and present teammates because, without them, I would never have the support that I needed to reach the level that I am currently at,” says senior distance runner, Tristan Lucy-Speidel.
Please go watch your UofL Hornets track and field program this weekend compete at Randolph College in their last meet before going to Roanoke College to compete for an ODAC Championship Title!