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 2008/2009 WCU Indoor Track & Field team looks to continue its winning ways starting Friday in the season opener at the Appalachian Invitational. |
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Dec. 4, 2008
Cullowhee, NC- The Western Carolina men's and women's Indoor track & field teams will look to defend it's ASU Invitational title from a year ago when they open the season in Boone to participate in the ASU Invitational Friday.
Last year the Catamounts had a dominant performance in the ASU invitational posting ten winners including 50 top-ten finishers, and 19 podium finishes thanks to an all around team effort.
Western Carolina lose to graduation one of their top performers in Zeb Johnson but with last years breakout season, senior Manteo Mitchell leads the Catamounts looking to defend their championship from a year ago. Mitchell broke the Holmes Center-record 48.10 time in the 400-meter dash in last years event and will look to top that this season.
Six senior women track & field performers lead the way for the Catamounts with conference champion 100m hurdles Rashanda Simmons returning to pace the women's team.
Western Carolina is coached by Danny Williamson who has brought 11 championships to Cullowhee since 1996 and continues to bring in competitive teams throughout the years.
Order of Events
11am- Long Jump (Women, men to follow)
Pole Vault (Women, men to follow)
High Jump (Men, women to follow)
Weight Throw (Men, women to follow)
Triple Jump (Women, men to follow)
Shot Put (Men, women to follow)
11am- 55m hurdles- Women then men
55m dash- Women then men
Mile run- Women then men
400m- Women then men
800m- Women then men
200m- Women then men
3000m- Women then men
4x400m relay- Women then men
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Manteo Mitchell Blog
PRESEASON Well, preseason went by at a rapid pace this year compared to past years, at least during my 3 ½ years of residency in the Whee. We started out with basic conditioning type workout, also known as circuits, and did that for about a month or so. From there we moved on to actual endurance workouts on the track (such as 800's, 600's, 500's etc). Weights were on Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays, with the bulk of the heavier lifting being done on Mondays.
These types of practices continued and week by week the intensity grew stronger, the times became faster, and the weather (well lets just say it is NEVER the same around these parts). Then the TIME TRIALS came to visit!!! What started as a `regularly scheduled' practice ended with a 300 m timed run attached to the end of it. Times were decent considering the fact that it was very cold out and I think our coaching staff was satisfied with the turnout. Then came the annual 800m time trial under the lights! This is just a test to see how the preseason training influenced our bodies, basically just trying to see if we were where we needed to be physically in order to move on to the next phase of our training.
The last stop in our preseason was supposed to be our annual Purple vs. Gold Intrasquad track meet, but due to inclement weather and `blistering cold' temperatures, it was cancelled for the year. So, from there we've managed to make it to our first indoor meet of the season.
RANDOMNESS SHOUT OUT TO DR. JUSTIN MENICKELLI for his moral support and his claim of supposedly being the biggest Catamount T&F fan EVER!!! We'll see you at App. State Friday, right???
THE WAIT IS OVER So, we head to App. State bright and early Friday morning for the first meet of the indoor season. Hopefully, the preseason workouts and the hard work and dedication in the weight room will pay off for us! I personally believe that we are going to do well, and that we have an opportunity to set the standard in the Southern Conference.
THE SAGA CONTINUES If you think that "The Battle of the Old Jug" between our gridiron cats and those from higher altitude is intense, then you haven't experienced the life of a catamount track and field athlete. Although a lot of us are friends or are related in some way to some of Yosef's kids, we all know it's ALL BUSINESS when it comes to the friendly but heated rivalry between us and them. We should have something to battle for; something similar to the jug but better. Bragging rights and a conference championship trophy (with a side of rings) is always good though!!!
Well, that's all for now, but before I go I want to leave you with a quote from Bruce Jenner who is an Olympic Gold Medalist in the Decathlon from the 1976 Summer Olympics (Montreal/Quebec, Canada):
"I learned that the only way you are going to get anywhere in life is to work hard at it. Whether you're a musician, a writer, an athlete or a businessman, there is no getting around it. If you do, you'll win--if you don't, you won't."
Strive6
