The Bowling Green State University Track and Field team will continue their indoor season with the Simmons-Harvey Invitational in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday morning.
The Falcons finished fourth out of five teams in the BG Opener this past weekend. Janette Pettigrew and recent transfer Alicia Arnold highlighted that event by winning their respective events. Pettigrew won the 60 with a time of 7.58 and Arnold won the 200 with a time of 24.80.
“We are seeing a lot more depth and a lot more ability,” said Lou Snelling, head coach. “This is our best start to the year that we have.”
Arnold is a sophomore transfer from Lake Erie College who fills a lot of holes for the Falcons. She runs the short sprints the 60, 200 and the long jump. Arnold will look to be a vital part of the team this year with the loss of some of the sprinters from last year’s senior class.
“She covers a lot of areas for us and that is exactly what we need,” Snelling said. “She also has a great personality and is a great person.”
There may be holes to be filled on this roster from the graduating class but the returners make this year’s roster very talented and experienced. Notable returners Brittany Sinclair and Taylor Rambo bring back half of the 1600 relay team that set the school record in last year’s Mid-American Championship.
“It’s a little early for them so they are just trying to build back into things,” Snelling said. “I think their best races are ahead of them towards the end of the indoor season and going into outdoors.”
Pettigrew will be a vital part of this team this year. Last year, she was injured during the indoor season and was not able to prepare for the spring as much as the rest of the team. This year she is healthy and has already qualified for the indoor MAC Championships in the 60.
“The plan from the very beginning was getting to this fifth year and having indoor and outdoor together,” Snelling said. “I think we are going to see some really exciting things this year from Janette.”
This year the track team has plenty of talent and experience and they want to send more than just one person to nationals this year, Snelling said.
“It’s about how big of a step can we take this year,” Snelling said. “Can we double our point total in outdoor from last year. If you look at the talent and ability level and it’s like why can’t we have four, five, or six girls at the NCAA’s this year it is all there.”
