By Ryan Tarletsky, freshman

The Friends University outdoor track team has picked up right where it left off. During the winter, the Falcons had 16 runners qualify for nationals. Now, after two full meets, the Falcons have already qualified 10 runners for nationals -- seven men and three women.

The first full team track meet was at Oklahoma Baptist University on March 27.

“It was a terrible day to run,” said Coach Brad Peterson. “It was cold and windy, but everyone ran well despite that.”

The Falcons’ most recent meet was the Enduro Classic Saturday, April 3, at Friends.

“On the men’s side of things, we feel very confident. We don’t have a real weakness anywhere. We are strong in the long distance, mid-distance, sprinting and field events, everywhere really. If anything, we lack depth, but the people we have are solid all the way around,” said Peterson.

The men’s team boasts possibly the conference’s best 4x100 meter relay, which consists of junior Chris Steen, senior Damian Berry, junior Doug Pierce and freshman Romaine Green.

“With only five seniors on the men’s side, Damian Berry is a key leader for us. He leads by example on the track, and he is vocal and encouraging towards everyone else,” said Peterson.

For the women, it is a similar story. With only three seniors, the bar was set high for underclassmen. Everyone expected great seasons from seniors Sarah Wiebe and Ta’Vionna Polley-Davis, who both have already qualified for nationals in their respective events. But it is the freshmen who are surprising everyone.

“We really ran well at the first meet in Oklahoma,” said sophomore Caitlin Kozak. “We had so many people qualify for nationals in our indoor season, so we are a very solid team all the way around.”
“Lanae Kidd really surprised us. She is running well and has already qualified for nationals in the 800 meters. Lacey McFadden also is doing well for us, as she has yet to lose a race in the hurdles,” said Peterson.

Peterson also said that senior Kelli Woodward, who is currently training to run the marathon event for the team, is the outspoken leader for the women’s side.

With the Falcons off to a great start, anything is possible. As long as everyone stays healthy, Peterson said, the Falcons will be ready to give Southwestern College a run for their money and contend for a conference championship.

“We know we are good enough to win a conference championship. It is simply a matter of staying healthy and staying focused all season,” said Kozak.

The men’s Falcons next meet is April 10 at the Pittsburg State Gorilla Classic in Pittsburg, while the women’s next meet is April 14 at the Cowley Mid-Week Classic in Arkansas City.