Track & Field team has successful J-term

While many students took a break during J-term, the St. Kate’s Track & Field team was hard at work. The team had two competitions: one at the University of Wisconsin Stout (UW Stout) and one at Bethel University. At UW Stout, several St. Kate’s athletes set new personal records (PRs) in their respective events. Highlights included Reilee Schepper securing two PRs in the long jump, Aly Grebner securing a PR in the shot put, and Julia Clark securing a PR in the 3000-meter run. 

At Bethel University, the team demonstrated growth as athletes continued to set new PRs and make the podium. Riley McMahon placed first in the 1000-meter run, Victoria Barkosky placed second in the 800-meter run, Juilette Martin placed third in the 600-meter dash, and Reilee Schepper earned a first-place finish in the triple jump while another Wildcat, Elsie Lundquist, followed in second. 

The short indoor track season is quite busy with practices and meets as teams prepare for the upcoming outdoor season.

“We have two and a half weeks until the Indoor MIAC Track Championships so we are busy preparing for that meet and getting in a last few indoor meets the next few weekends,” Head Track & Field Coach Shannon Houilan said. “February is a high intensity month for our team and then we take time in March to reset and get in a good training cycle to get ready for our outdoor season.”

With the indoor season wrapping up at the end of this month, the focus has already begun to shift towards the spring season and the excitement that will come with it. “We think we can have some good performances indoors,” said Houlian, “but overall we are a stronger team outdoors and want to continue to develop through the season.” 

With the MIAC Track Championships taking place on February 28th and 29th at Saint John’s University, the team still has time to improve and continue the momentum of their already impressive indoor season.

According to Reilee Schepper ‘22 ( Exercise Science and Pre-Occupational Therapy Major), the team has made strides on and off the track this J-term. “I really enjoy how the team becomes a family,” Schepper said. “Because we have such a wide variety of events going on during a meet or practice, and everyone is busy being student-athletes, it can be difficult to get the whole team together at once.”

All anticipation is aimed at the approaching outdoor season, what it will bring, and how the team will continue to improve their performance and strengthen their bond. “We had a large senior class last year, so this season has been about putting a new outlook on the team and having new people step up to help lead the team,” Coach Houilan said. “One of our main goals has been creating a supportive environment at practice and meets and taking the time to get to know each person and each event.” 

Coach Houlian and her athletes seem to agree that the outdoor season’s focus will center around team-member relationships. “This year I have seen our team grow in many ways, but I think we have grown exceptionally well in the way we are supporting one another. At meets, our goal is to make sure everyone feels like they are being supported,” Schepper said.

The team’s goal for this spring is to perform well at local meets and competitively at the conference level. The next indoor Track & Field competition is Friday, February 21st at St. Olaf College. To see the complete schedule and find more updates on the Track and Field team, please visit https://www.stkatesathletics.com/index.aspx?path=wtrack.