Following their fourth straight CCIW championship in the indoor season, the NCC Women’s Track and Field team is looking to add to their already impressive trophy case. Moving outdoors gives them an opportunity to do just that. With an indoor season already full of record-breaking feats, the team will look to ride their hot streak into the outdoor season. With a team full of talented first-years and seasoned upperclassmen, they look to cause more damage on the regional and national stage.
One stride at a time
NCC brings back four fifth-year athletes this season, all with experience on the national stage. This includes All-American weight thrower, Alexandra Draves, ’23, and 60-meter hurdles national champion, Julia Babinec, ’23. There is also the addition of eight new first-years who have already made a tremendous impact on the team. One of them is Macy Fleury, ’26, a sprinter who is working towards the goal of competing in her first heptathlon.
“I have done most of the events on different occasions, so I am excited for the opportunity to compete in all seven events at one meet,” said Fleury.
She and the other first-years look forward to moving outdoors. This new setting will provide unique challenges for them to adapt to.
“After winning Conference this past indoor season, our team is definitely looking to capture the outdoor championship as well,” said Fleury as she looks ahead to the difficult outdoor season. “Our team is also striving for each individual athlete to continue to better themselves through personal records across all event areas while growing closer as a team.”
The great outdoors
Moving outdoors will bring new obstacles, as well as opportunities for the athletes. Erica Johnson, ’24, weighed in on the unique changes presented when moving outdoors.
“The main difference between indoor and outdoor track and field is the events that are competed. Since the track size goes from 200 meters to 400 meters, athletes will run the 100-meter dash and 100-meter hurdles instead of the 60-meter dash and 60-meter hurdles,” said Johnson.
Even for the newcomers, it will most likely be difficult at first for them to adapt to the outdoors. This goes along with them having to adjust to the college-level of competition as well.
“An indoor track is typically 200 meters compared to a 400-meter outdoor track,” said Fleury. “Therefore, times are typically slightly slower indoors, because there are additional curves.”
With the slight event changes, the team must adapt accordingly to succeed outdoors.
Leaping ahead
As they move outdoors, newcomers and upperclassmen alike face lofty expectations. The veterans have been tasked with continuing their growth and success. This applies both on and off the track. Johnson is one of those upperclassmen who is expected to step up in both her athletic performance and her leadership.
“We are a very dedicated team that is committed to each other,” said Johnson. “We have the goal of winning the CCIW outdoor conference championship, which will only be possible by being a strong family and putting in our best every day at practices and meets.”
With this hard work and commitment towards the long season ahead, NCC will hopefully see yet another CCIW championship in the hands of the NCC Women’s Track and Field team.
