Men’s, Women’s Track Begin Season With Cornell Relays

The men’s and women’s track teams begin their seasons tomorrow when the Red hosts the Cornell Relays. Last year, the Cornell men and women won an impressive nine events each while competing against 17 other schools in the Cornell Relays. The Red will look for similar results this season.
The competition will be the Red’s first meet of the season and the team will not compete again in 2007. It allows the team to see where it stacks up against some of the nation’s other teams and then the team has five weeks to make adjustments and improve before it competes again.
Senior sprinter Jordan Lester thinks a strong start would go a long way for the team.
“It’s pretty important to get some positive energy going for the season,” he said.
Classmate and distance runner Ian Ward also thinks it’s important for the team to start strong.
“I think it’s important to get off to a strong start so we can carry that momentum through training,” he said. “Everyone disperses for a month or so [for winter break] and it’s much tougher to train alone than with a group of teammates. If you get off to a good start, that carries over.”
Ward explained that results are not necessarily the most important aspect of tomorrow’s competition.
“I expect to run well, but I’m not very sharp,” he said. “I’m looking to get out there and compete and push myself, which I haven’t done for a while.
The women’s team is also focused on starting strong.
“People have been working hard all fall,” said junior mid-distance runner Megan Rae. “[The race will be] a good indication to see where people are.”
Like Ward, Rae emphasized the importance of using this meet to prepare for the rest of the season.
“A lot of people are looking to start the season off strong,” she said. “I guess people want to see themselves in a better position than they were in last season.”
Despite the fact that the Red is a long way from midseason form, the same can be said of its competition. The high expectations for the Red this season are already in place and if Ward’s statements are any indication, those with high expectations include members of the team. When asked what he was looking to see from the team this weekend, Ward responded confidently.
“Domination. Plain and simple,” he said.