St. Kate’s track and field kicks off new season
Cover image credit: Brenna Nelson
By Mia Timlin
The St. Kate’s track and field team just kicked off their season, and only a few meets in they are already setting career and season bests. Distance runner Brenna Nelson ‘24 (Exercise Science/Pre-PT) talks about her experience as a senior on the team and how this season’s new group of runners have come together with the intention of exceeding last season’s accomplishments.
MT: How has the start of the season been so far?
BN: The start of the season has gone well. We’ve had two meets so far with another one this weekend [Jan. 27], and racing on the track and throwing in the ring, we’ve had a few career personal bests. The entire team has shown lots of resiliency and lots of improvement over the past couple of weeks.
MT: Last year, the team ended the season with a ninth place placement at the MIAC championships. What has preparation looked like heading into a new season? What are the team’s goals?
BN: This year’s team is small, but we are mighty and ready to compete. Our preparation heading into the season has been going well so far. The distance runners, sprinters and throwers have been practicing four to six days per week since the middle of October and as a team, we’ve been lifting two to three times [a week]. The team goals consist of a few different ideals. One goal is to support each other and cheer for everyone on the team at competitions, if able. Another goal of ours is to do all the little things right so that we can have big improvements by the end of the season. A third goal of ours is to win the Wildcat Cup at the end of the year. [The Wildcat Cup is a competition within the St. Kate’s athletic department to see which team can attend the most sporting events — a fun way to promote cross-discipline support!] This goal we made to cultivate a supportive atmosphere in the entire athletic department.
MT: What has the team atmosphere been like so far? How do you encourage team bonding?
BN: The team atmosphere has been good so far. I feel that many of us are friends outside of the track, so that makes it a lot easier when it comes to team bonding. We encourage team bonding by supporting each other while at meets, going to other sports events and volunteering together.
Front row (left to right): Katie Yoder '26, Brenna Nelson '24, Kaitlyn Peterson '27
Back row (left to right): Lily Harvey '25, Anna Marsolek '26, Grace Kordus '26, Maggie Lewandowski '27, Felicity Lamb '27
Not pictured: Chando Horvath '24, Abby Althoff '25, Gabby Bodin '24, Faduma Hassan '27
MT: What does preparation for a meet look like?
BN: Preparation for a meet looks a little different for everyone based on your event group and what your body needs before you compete. For me, the day before I [drink] lots of water and [fuel] my body with nutritious food. I try to get at least eight hours of sleep and pack my bag the night before the meet so that I know I have everything. The morning of the meet, the team meets at the Butler Center and rides to the meet together. While arriving at the meet, we have a team meeting and everyone goes to their event or hangs out at the team camp until it is time to warm-up for your race.
MT: What are some personal goals you’ve set for the season?
BN: One goal of mine is to run under a 20-minute 5K during outdoor season. Another goal is to place in the top eight at the conference indoor meet with the distance medley relay team. A third goal of mine is to always be the first one to congratulate my teammates after they are done racing.
MT: It’s your senior year on the team — what do you think it means to be a leader when it comes to athletics and being a part of a team?
To me, being a leader is one of the most important qualities that a senior can show on the team. Being a leader means doing all the little things right, being positive, being there for your teammates, stepping up when needed and communicating effectively. Leadership can show up in many ways on a team. Because I am not always the most vocal person in the room, I led by example. I show my teammates what it is like to be a leader and the qualities that they can follow.
The St. Kate’s track and field team will continue their season at St. Olaf College’s Tostrud Classic on Saturday, Feb. 17.
