After finishing out strong at the indoor Mid-American Championships, the BG track team looks to continue the momentum into Raleigh, N.C.
Jeanette Pettigrew and the Falcons will compete in the Raleigh Relays in a two-day outdoor track meet. This will be an event taking place on Friday and Saturday and is BG’s second year in a row competing in the event.
The Falcons’ have much to look forward to, especially with many of their players having good indoor seasons.
Brittany Sinclair, Alicia Arnold and freshman Makenzie Wheat had good finishes to their indoor seasons.
In the Mid-American Conference indoor championship back in March, BG greatly improved from last year, scoring 38 points total and finishing eighth overall. That’s a step forward from the 2012-13 season where they only scored 12 points and finished 11th.
With memorable performances such as Brooke Pleger breaking the school record’s toss at the GVSU Big Meet, to Pettigrew’s amazing performance to close out the MAC Indoor championship meet, the Falcons’ have a lot to be proud of for the upcoming outdoor event.
The preseason rankings are also a good sign for the team as well.
The Falcons are ranked at number 64 in the country, according to a release by the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association. This is a huge improvement for the team from last year, where BG ranked number 207 in the preseason.
Also, within the MAC conference, BG is third behind Akron and Buffalo, who rank number 26 and number 54 respectively in the USTFCCCA.
The Falcons also have some players ranked within the individual events. Within the hammer throw class, Pleger is currently third in the country. Redshirt sophomore Andrea Alt placed seventh in the steeplechase last year.
Sophomores Tiera Parker and Kayla Velasquez placed eighth in the triple jumps and discus events. The team also has added depth with senior Tina Perrine, sophomore Jasmine Redman and Wheat having good turnouts at the Indoor championships.
The skill of the team is only as good as the coaches and head coach Lou Snelling was recognized. A multi-time Southland Conference coach of the year, Snelling was named to the All-Time Southland Conference Honor Roll form Stephen F. Austin.
This was part of Stephen F. Austin’s 50th anniversary celebration, where 65 players and eight coaches were recognized for their excellent contributions to the sport.
The events start on Friday at Raleigh Relays.
