Last weekend the focus was on battling the weather conditions.

This weekend the focus is on having yet another strong performance early in the outdoor season.

In order to put forth another strong performance, the Falcons have to apply the intense training they endure and combine that in the meets they compete in. At this point in the season, the team isn’t necessarily competing at full strength.

“We don’t expect the team to be at its physical peak at this point; they are still competing tired and focusing on balancing heavy training and competition,” said coach Cami Wells.

“As we go through the next few weeks we will start to transition to turn the training toward preparing to peak at the conference meet.” 

The BG track and field team heads to Athens, Ohio, this weekend to compete as part of a five-team field at the Ohio Women’s Team Challenge.

On Saturday the Falcons will face a pair of teams they’ve already competed against this season, Ohio and Toledo, and two unfamiliar opponents Marshall and the College of Charleston.

“This weekend will be another opportunity for us to go up against Ohio and Toledo and continue to work on getting stronger as a team,” Wells said. “It looks like the weather will be more cooperative so we expect the marks will be improved this week.” 

With the Mid-American Conference Championships being the pinnacle of the outdoor season, BG uses each meet and gears its training toward being as close to its potential as possible for that meet.

“I feel that at this point the team as a whole is on pace to reach our potential as a team,” Wells said. “I have seen many positive performances and teamwork this spring but we all know there is still a long way to go over the next five weeks.”

Heather Conger and Tatijana Jacobson were named nominees for MAC Athlete of the Week on Thursday.

Conger set a personal record in the 800-meter run last Saturday at the Jack Shaw Invite but will only be competing in the 1500 meter run and the 4×400 meter relay Saturday.

Jacobson won the high jump for the second-consecutive meet last Saturday but will not be competing in Athens in order to continue training for next weekend’s meet.

Saturday’s meet begins at noon starting with the hammer throw, while the last event begins at 5:30 p.m.