SETTING NEW STANDARDS H arding University's track and field and cross-country teams broke 13 of the school records during the spring of 2013. Beginning his 12th year coaching at Harding, coach Steve Guymon had great success with members of the track and field team, particularly the women's team. "The guys have been around for so long, but women's track has not been around as long," Guymon said. "This team has really shattered some of those records." Junior Ewa Zaborowska excelled in a number of events last spring, breaking three individual and one relay record. "Ewa broke the school record in the 1,500 and 3,000 distance events," Guymon said. "Those records she broke belonged to Janet CherobonBawcom, who was an Olympic runner in the 2012 Olympics, so breaking her records is pretty impressive." Senior Kristen Celsor was also a unique asset to the track and field team due to her versatile athletic abilities. In addition to competing and breaking records in the 4x400 relay and high jump, Celsor was a member of Harding's Lady Bisons basketball team. Though basketball was a team sport, and track and field events were considered individual efforts, Celsor adjusted well to the demands. 2013 Harding graduate Tiffany Chambers broke the records for indoor and outdoor pole vaulting. "It was a major accomplishment for sure," Chambers said. "I never dreamed that I would be pole vaulting and set a school record in college. And then to continue to improve each year and end my career where I did. It was a blessing and God deserves all the credit." Celsor and Chambers reflected on their victories and gave credit first to God and then to their coaches and teammates. Both athletes said that track, field and cross-country were extremely team-focused at Harding University. "Last year, I think we had a really hard-working team and really got along well and were always cheering for each other when we weren't competing ourselves," Celsor said. "We had a really good support system within our team, and so we worked hard, and it paid off in the end." Chambers added that Guymon was an important mentor and source of guidance for her, working with her through strong and weak seasons, and teaching her what it meant to be a strong Christian athlete. "Coach Guymon was my main source of mental support," Chambers said. "He encouraged me and pushed me to be a better person and athlete from the inside out. And he never let me wimp out, no matter the weather." Guymon rejoiced with his athletes when they achieved their goals. They became more than teammates. They became a family. "The thing I think I enjoy the most is that we allow them to come in and put their own record up on the board," Guymon said. "I just like to watch their faces, the excitement, and watch their families faces. They put in a lot of hard work, and this makes them feel like they have accomplished something." Kristina Kiser Row 1: K. Duong, S. Morton, K. Howard, T. Ly, R. Stafford, J. Winslager, M. Cumpian, M. Sherk. Row 2: C. Safley, D. Bagwell, S. Fly, J. Dybowski, W. Seagren, S. Elander, A. Jamerison, S. East, C. Merry, T. Lively, D. Murphy. Row 3: K. Kinser, E. Rapp, J. Rivers, D. Konieczek, M. Kessler, D. Salley, N. McClure, T. Porter, D. Pencarinha, E. Wilson, K. Naceanceno, L. Green. Row 4: R. Cagle, A. Evans, J. McDonald, J. Koonce, L. Belcher, S. Hedlund. Row 1: D. Morton, C. Beck, S. Coleman, K. Phillips, K. Yoches, J. Rapowitz, A. Priest, L. Allen, K. Taylor, T. Kim, J. Capri. Row 2: T. Chambers, E. Robson, L. Gordon, B. Pearson, M. Kessler, R. Roberts, R. Domeyer, E. Zaborowska, D. Wallace, D. Bailey.
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