Track & field closes indoor season with record-breakers

Joel Sledd Staff Writer

While most of Grove City’s students were relaxing during spring break, the track and field team traveled to New York to compete in the All-Atlantic Region Track and Field Conference (AARTFC) Championship.

This two-day competition consisted of 59 teams, including Grove City College. Many Presidents’ Athletic Conference (PAC) opponents and regional colleges were present at the AARTFC.

The men tied with New Jersey City College to place 35th with a total of four points. All four points were earned in the shotput event. Junior Nick Gustafson received three points with a throw of 15.37 meters, and sophomore Ryan Lenhart earned one point with a throw measuring 15.17 meters.

The women placed 33rd with five points scored. Senior Emma Vezzosi set a program record in the pentathlon, placing sixth overall. Vezzosi secured first in the pentathlon long jump, with a jump measuring 5.31 meters.

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Sophomore Grace Smith took seventh place in the mile race with another school record of five minutes and 9.26 seconds. Junior Sydney Stainbrook broke Grove City’s indoor pole vault record as well, clearing a height of 3.11 meters.

Despite being relatively new, the indoor track team broke almost every record set last year. This indoor season has proven how much the team has improved since last year. Some records were broken multiple times, sometimes in one match.

As the indoor track season ends, the athletes prepare for the upcoming outdoor season. The men and women will transition away from the indoor practices and out onto the track. The indoor season can be hard for some athletes, but many treat it as an opportunity to prepare for the latter half of the season.

“I think as a precursor to the outdoor season, it went really well. It is a season in itself, but a lot of people look at it as just a preseason,” said senior James Parenti. “I think it really served its purpose.”

Many of the luxuries for outdoor practices can be lacking during the indoor season, but the men and women ignore this and continue to practice.

“It’s hard to do well indoors, especially for running, but it did its purpose,” said Vezzosi.

The team may be adding some new names to the roster. The end of winter sports means some athletes will be available to play in the outdoor season.

“I think we’re also adding some people. A lot of people don’t come into the indoor season, so we are starting to add a couple more people to our roster. I’m excited for that because that helps us for championships,” Vezzosi said. It isn’t known how many people will join the track and field team, but the outdoor season always attracts new athletes.

A total of seven invitationals will compete this season. The first outdoor match will take place at Bethany on March 25. Grove City will host its invitation at Robert E. Thorn Field on April 5.