The 2023 track and field season is still young for the NCC Women’s Track and Field team but it hasn’t stopped them from setting the expectations for the season high in the early going. The Cardinals have competed two successful meets on home turf thus far in the new year.
Familiar faces, familiar results
The team has wasted no time showing what having a returning cast of characters can do for a team’s success. Returning All-Americans have helped pave the way to the early season success with hopes of improving upon their past success. The same core group replicated the same speedy start from the season prior.
Thrower Alexandra Draves, ‘22, collected a win for the Cardinals at the Cardinal Opener after dominating the weight throw competition by recording a throw of 17.37 meters in the finals. She went on to improve her record further in the Snow Day Invitational by recording 17.92 meters. That number is enough to lead the CCIW ranks and third in the Division III national rankings.
Sprinter Lindsey Novak, ‘23, ran to victory in the 400-meter dash at the Cardinal Opener by registering a personal best time of 58.16. That time is enough to move her into seventh place all-time in the NCC record books. She showed her versatility in sprints at the Snow Day Invitational in the 200-meter dash with a time of 25.37. This improves her own NCC record and owning the sixth-best Division III time in the nation.
Sprinter Marcedes Jackson,‘23, notched her first win of the season at the Snow Day Invitational as she swiftly recorded a season-best 7.82 in the 60-meter dash. Jackson’s time ranks second in the CCIW.
Sprinter Julia Babinec, ‘22, kicked off the defense of her national championship title at the Snow Day Invitational with a win in the 60-meter hurdles by recording a time of 9.07 in the finals.
CCIW honors roll in early
Draves and Novak were rewarded for their efforts by the CCIW following the Cardinal Opener and the Snow Day Invitational. It was an NCC clean sweep of the conference’s Track and Field Athletes of the Week for two consecutive weeks.
Despite facing an injury in the offseason, Novak saw her offseason training pay off in a big way.
“Opening the season on a high note felt exhilarating as I was finally able to put my training to the test. I was pleased to have been able to push myself and see where I was at after a full year of training,” said Novak.
After the first two indoor season meets, she ranks nationally in the 200 and 400-meter dash and has improved her own North Central records. Setting the bar high in the early going isn’t going to be a problem for Novak.
“Having a PR under my belt at the beginning of the season has given me a confidence boost mentally. I was dealing with an injury throughout the preseason, so this PR feels very reassuring to me and makes me even more excited for the rest of the season,” said Novak.
Draves wasted no time starting the season on a high note, as two meets into the year she is already crushing her own NCC record weekly. Draves won’t have to worry about having confidence in the field.
“It felt like a great accomplishment and a big confidence booster to open the season on such a high note at the Cardinal Opener and then to break my personal record/school record at the Snow Day Invitational while also pulling down the CCIW Field Student-Athlete of the Week,” said Draves.
On top of individual honors, the team placed second in the Cardinal Opener and placed first in the Snow Day Invitational.
Preparation for the big stage
The Cardinals Women’s Track and Field Team will participate in 11 indoor meets before the NCAA Divison III Indoor Championships and the beginning of the outdoor season. As the cold weather transitions to tolerable spring temperatures, the team is eager to use the indoor track circuit as a warmup for the real season.
Novak views the indoor portion of the season as the perfect opportunity to really set the tone for the upcoming outdoor season. “The indoor atmosphere is so great to be a part of, as the facility is more confined than the outdoor track setting and you can see every event. It is thrilling to carry this energy over to the outdoor season and think of the indoor season as a real momentum builder,” said Novak.
Ramping up
Jackson’s hot start out of the gate helped relieve anxiety. She didn’t have any training with the team or coaches three months before the season. “For me, personally Indoor season sets the tone for the outdoor season, and it eases my anxiety as well. After already competing at high levels indoors, outdoors is just about building on that and finishing off strong,” said Jackson.
Treating the indoor season as a preview of the outdoor season will be key for the Cardinals going forward. Draves sees the indoor meets and the NCAA Division III Indoor Track and Field Championship as a glimpse into what the expectations are for the outdoor season.
“The indoor season prepares my mind and body through training and the experience I gain through the Indoor National competition which is a great bridge and confidence booster going into the Outdoor Season,” said Draves.
The Cardinals open up their outdoor season in early April. It wi look to use the next two months plus to bring their domination to the outdoor circuit.
Managing lofty goals and expectations
With great success comes great expectations. With Cardinal seniors dominating the track and the field early, they find it essential to keep their goals in sight. Many athletes have their goals set beyond the CCIW.
The ultimate prize for any athlete is going home a champion. Times and records aren’t the only goals Novak has in mind. “I want to be a National Champion. I want to run freely and reach my full potential. Our team has the goal of sweeping both indoor and outdoor conference titles,” said Novak.
Keeping a positive outlook is as important as any time or win. Jackson doesn’t let records or rankings control her destiny.
“My goal this season is to never settle and to embody the mindset of a winner. I want my confidence level always to be high no matter who’s standing next to me on the line. This is my last season so overall my goal is to embrace my talent and compete to my fullest potential amongst the best in D3 individually and collectively,” said Jackson.
Jackson and Novak will look to retain their All-American status in the 4×100-meter relay while potentially adding that honor to their individual events. Draves will look to add a third All-American indoor honor in the weight throw this year.
The countdown is on for the Cardinals on what certainly looks to be an exciting season ahead. It may still be only January, but the team has its eyes on the prize at the finish line in May.
