Winter Sports Preview: Indoor Track

What+is+your+goal+for+the+season%3F%0A%E2%80%9CI+want+to+do+my+best+and+contribute+to+the+team.%E2%80%9D%0AChris+Nguyen

What is your goal for the season? “I want to do my best and contribute to the team.” Chris Nguyen

Steven Anderson, Sports Editor

On your mark, get set, go! The indoor track team, coached by Dessalyn Dillard, looks to put up some amazing times this year and continue their winning tradition. Over Coach Dillard’s 10 years coaching indoor track, the program has become known for more than just producing great sprinters. While sprinters will excel for PB again this year, the team’s balance of throwers, jumpers, and distance runners will bring added strength to the team. Coach Dillard notes, however, that a lack of depth in those areas will be the weakness of the team. Coach Dillard sees this year’s group as a young squad that will need to learn how to run not only physically, but also mentally and emotionally.

The loss of key runners such as Bethlehem Taye, Precious Igwebuike, and Travis Armbruster will show early in the season, as the runners on each of the relays have to develop chemistry. However, later in the season, expect the relays to post blazing-fast times. The Panthers will go against tough competition in their division as Northwest, Blair, and Walter Johnson are some of MOCO’s powerhouses. Throughout the season, watch for Kyra Badrian, Yasmine Kass, Nicole Osafo Dedey, Solomon Lucas, Mermose Goy, and Steven Anderson to put up record-setting times. This team can grow exponentially if it has leadership from the team’s experienced group of runners.

As Coach Dillard previews this exciting season, she states, “Our coaching staff is excited to kick off another indoor season. Our team is very young this year but packed with talent and potential. We are curious to see how it all unfolds!”