Spring Break
Track and field teams prep for nationals next weekend
Mike Tews
Issue date: 5/13/09 Section: Sports
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The No. 5-ranked men's team will compete in the Gregory Invitational this Thursday and Friday in Naperville, Ill., as well as the Augustana Twilight meet in Rock Island, Ill.
The women, ranked 29th in the last national poll, will compete in the North Central Last Chance Meet Thursday and Friday in Naperville, Ill.
This week will also be the last time that athletes can attempt to qualify for nationals.
"It's the last chance meet for a reason and with that last opportunity, you can't hold anything back," men's head coach Darren Schneider said. "I'm sure that they will give it their all."
Athletes that are on the bubble include sophomores Cory Lockridge and Sara Poppe. Lockridge, who is the reigning WIAC long jump champion for both indoor and outdoor seasons, still hasn't qualified for nationals, a feat he also accomplished during the indoor season.
"I am very satisfied with my accomplishments after such a long season, but I'm not done yet," Lockridge said. "Outdoor nationals are just around the corner, and I have to remain focused until I'm at nationals."
Poppe, who has provisionally qualified for the triple jump in the NCAA III championships, still has to improve her distance to ensure that she makes the cut. Poppe, like Lockridge, feels the urgency and pressure to compete at a high level but isn't worried.
"It would be great to make it, but whatever happens, happens," Poppe said. "I put more pressure on myself because I want to make it, but like I said, if I don't, there are two more years."
While these two remain on the bubble, others have solidified their place at nationals.
Sophomore Brooke Bell automatically qualified for the 100 and 200 meters at the WIAC championships and will bring in plenty of momentum, as well as motivation.
Besides being named the sixth Warhawk women to be named WIAC Track Athlete of the Meet at the conference championships, Bell is poised to avenge the indoor season, where she failed to make it to the indoor nationals in Terre Haute, Ind.
"I was disappointed with my overall performance [during indoors], but I keep telling myself this what I do, it's not new," Bell said. "What has been getting me here is the same thing that I'm going to continue to do in order to finish."
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