Sawyer Strelnieks – Staff Writer

Many Dordt Track and Field athletes finished their indoor season a couple weeks ago with a trip to the NAIA indoor nationals at SDSU. Everyone on Dordt’s team saw steady improvement in their events leading up to the nationals meet.

The men’s 4x800m relay team finished in second place with a time of 7:43.42.

Senior Ike VanKempen had his best weight throw of the year at nationals, placing fourth with a distance of 19.01m.

Junior Matthew Van Eps finished 5th in the 600m run with a time of 1:19.16.

Freshman Eric Steiger finished 8th in the 5,000m run with a time of 15:07.52.

Senior Joscelyn Wind competed in the Indoor Pentathlon and scored 3,070 points in her events.

“Even at nationals, when only a few people were running, there were still 20 or so teammates who spent most of their afternoon and night driving to come support those who were racing, and it was incredibly humbling,” Steiger said. “It’s truly amazing how supportive the Dordt track team is to one another, and it really shows a lot about the team’s character.”

With the indoor season now in the rearview mirror, the Dordt track team has begun training for the outdoor season. Some athletes began training during spring break as soon as nationals were over. Others took the week off to rest and mentally prepare for the next stretch of outdoor practices and meets.

“It is always fun to run with friends that push you to compete and train your best,” Van Eps said. “Outdoor season is definitely easier on your body, and, after seeing the same walls and being cooped up all winter, it is definitely time to run outside.”

The outdoor season is a continuation of the indoor season for most athletes, as they continue to get faster and stronger through training for their events that carry over into the outdoor season.

“Preparation for the meets involves working as much technical improvement as we can during the practices, and then staying as strong and explosive as we can with lifting and workouts, timing them appropriately so I’m recovered and fresh at the meets,” VanKempen said. “It’s awesome to see how confidence and performance levels rise throughout the season as we compete and put in work.”

The Dordt Track team is looking forward to a great outdoor season as they continue to build on their indoor season.

“I think the team will do great things this year, and I couldn’t be happier to have my last outdoor season with this team,” said Wind.

Athletes are biting at the bit to get outside and compete after a long and cold winter here in northern Iowa. Dordt’s first outdoor track meet this year is scheduled for March 22 in Wayne, Nebraska, as long as the weather cooperates.