CALIFORNIA, Pa. – Franciscan University's track and field team competed in the first outdoor meet of its season at California University of Pennsylvania, breaking a school record, a number of personal records and finishing in twelfth for women and fourteenth for men.
"We have only been on an outdoor track for about a week," head coach Vince Olver said. "What the team did today was phenomenal. It's one of the worst winters we've had and one of the most frustrating winters I've ever experienced as a coach but their hard work paid off big time today."
Aside from an indoor meet in Columbus, Ohio earlier in the winter, the young teams had not yet competed in 2014. Both the men's and women's sides started the season off strong, with key performances from several runners.
For the men, success came in the 200 and 400-meter dashes. Senior Jacob Baugher ran a 52.01 in the 400, coming in 6th while sophomore James Marra followed closely behind in 7th, running a 53.26.
In the 200, freshman Matt Howder cut a second off his personal record and Baugher not only ran a PR in the 200, but brought home a new school record, running a 22.81 and coming in 8th.
"I was a bit disappointed with my 400 because we have been training the hardest we ever have this season and it was one of my slowest first races," Baugher said. "But in the 200, I really was able to channel that disappointment and set a school record and break my personal best. I was happy with my 200 time."
Baugher's performance in the 200 bodes well as a benchmark for the rest of the season. Already, he is only a half second away from ECAC qualification. The senior finished just .03 seconds short of competing at the ECAC Championships last season in the 400.
The women also had a great day of running. It was a successful meet for freshman Susanna Almeida, as she came in 4th in the 400-meter dash, running a 1:03.65. Almeida also placed 10th in the 200, running a 28.35.
Other standout performances included senior Jane Crosby and junior Elena Luke. Crosby came in 9th in the 400-meter dash, running a 1:06.49 and Luke came in 9th in the 800 with a time of 2:34.84.
"To come out with runners in the top 10 is significant and encouraging because this is one of the most talented teams we've ever had, especially on the girl's side," Baugher, the men's team captain said. "Today was a benchmark and we all performed extremely well."
Baugher said he and his team will continue with a strict workout regimen, including spending time in the weight room in order to come off more powerfully at the start. Oliver, too, said that their training will be filled with hard work but will pay off in the long run.
"A lot of hard work and a lot of things go into this," Oliver said. "Today we took a little bit out of the bank. We should be happy with it but not satisfied. Monday is a new day and it'll be time to go to work again. We've got big things coming."
FUS track and field has five more meets to improve and qualify for either nationals or regionals. The first competition of the season acts as a benchmark, and with the results as they are, Franciscan has big plans for the future.
"We've got five more to go and we are looking for our best at the end," Oliver said. "Whatever comes before that is gravy."
Franciscan University track and field runs next on March 29 at Washington & Jefferson College.
