Track and Field go to Boston

      On the weekend of Feb. 8 through 10, the Eastern University Track and Field team flew their way to Boston, Massachusetts to compete at Boston University. The team woke up at 4am and got in the school vans to drive to the airport to prepare themselves for the busy airport check-in and their one hour flight to Boston.

      Coaches Mike and Val Wilson made sure to take care of their runners as they bought them food from Dunkin Donuts in the airport, as well as supplying them with food from the supermarket across the street from the university. The team and coaches endured hours worth of races. The team came supportive through it all, cheering on each of the 23 individuals selected to go on the trip and represented Eastern’s maroon proudly.

      There were many personal records throughout the two days of the meet. For starters, Bryton Henry ran the 5k race, receiving a time of 15:28 which beats his lifetime Personal Record (PR) of 15:42. Greg Thomas ran the 5k as well, and accomplished reaching his indoor PR with a time of 15:02. This currently ranks Tomas 3rd in the conference. Nicole Weenink competed in long jump and showed how high she jumps by jumping 5.63 meters. Weenink’s worst jump of the day was 5.40 meters which is better than any jump she jumped as a sophomore.

      The women’s Distance Medley Relay (DMR) broke a school record with a time of 12:22. This relay consisted of Megan Bernotas, who ran the 1200, Cecilia Jones, who ran the 400, Katelyn Bernotas, who ran the 800, and Mary Bernotas, who ran the 1600. It is also safe to say this relay sits 18th in the country. Michael Shea ran a PR of 52.16 in the 400 meter dash and Cecilia Jones ran an indoor PR in the 400 meter leg of the DMR at a time of 59.76.

      I personally had a very enjoyable experience during the Boston trip. This is the second year in a row I got selected to be a part of this trip and I was very honored. It is a humbling experience to arrive at a meet knowing I am about to compete with the best of the best athletes in D1, D2 and D3 schools.

      As a runner, I always know I can be better and I can become better by running with my competition. Before every race I run, I always try to make at least one of my competitors an ally because I know they are going to be the reason I run my fastest. Running with people who are better than me helps me get better and develop as a runner. My teammates and I are all pretty close considering we practice 6 days a week together. The trip would not have been eventful if I did not have my team with me.