Focus on new personal goals results in successful season The women's track team was in the process of change throughout the year as seven underclassmen made the transition from the NAIA to independent play while awaiting membership in NCAA Division II and the Lone Star Conference. Graduate student Pam Kese was added to the team to assist Brian Phillips. A 1983 graduate ofAbilene Christian, she holds a B.A. in English and physical education. She is currently working on a master's in kinesiology and plans to graduate in May of 1997. Kese's focus was with the sprinters and hurdlers. "She was always very encouraging and was there to push you," junior Ericka Harris said. The team focused on self-improvement. Phillips said, "The year was mainly spent in limbo. There wasn't a conference that the girls could spend in training for. We focused more on reaching new personal goals." A typical practice would last from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. each day ofthe week. There would also be occasional practices on Saturdays. For two mornings of the week, the team would meet in the weight room for a scheduled lift practice. During the season, they focused on interval and repeat training. Eachweek the teamwould average 50 miles. Their only day off was Sunday. Last year was also the first year that scholarships were offered. The three recipients were Harris, Amy Wiley and Laura Rubio. During the year, there were only two injuries. Amber Howard suffered pain in her knee and achilles and was only registered so she could compete in the following year. Wileywas also out ofpractice for two weeks after losing her balance and falling during step-up practice. When she fell , some weights fell too and one landed on her right thumb, smashing it. She returned later in the season and ran her best time of the year. She placed second in the 400 hurdles with a time of 1:10 at the Southern Arkansas meet. Harris was the top scorer of the season. She broke her own record she had set as a freshman. She broke the school record in the 200 at the indoor meet at Kansas University when she placed fourth with a time of 26:1. At the same meet, she placed third in the long jump with ajump of16'8". She won the 100-meter at Oklahoma Christian. Harris also ran a qualifying time of12:1 at Abilene Christian to enable her to run at the national meet which was held in Georgia. Throughout the year , there was a closeness that existed among the group which may have been due to their small size. "There was a lot of independent running on the roads and it helped when we would push each other.Also, when you would drag yourself out of bed at 6:00 , it was nice knowing that you were all there together and it could be fun, " Rubio said. - Darcia Woodard Scoreboard Dave Smith has great momentum going into his jump. Five Harding athletes received All-America honors. Photo by Aaron Gillihan. National Indoor Track and Field Finished 12th overall with 20 points. Finished 3rd in the 3200-meter relay. Finished 3rd in the distance medley relay. Simeon Sawe placed 2nd in the mile run. Women's Track 257
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