213 ATHLETICS Over the course of 2022, the men’s and women’s track teams prepared for their new track. With the football field renovation, the track was removed from the field and moved near the intramural softball fields on the southeast side of campus. “I think that every time Harding has built something, they have done it well,” Don Hood, head cross-country and track coach, said. “I really think that this is going to end up being a plus for us.” The track teams shared the field with the football team in the past, but they had the opportunity to have their own facilities. “We are the two biggest teams on campus in a very confined space,” Hood said. “To put us in separate locations makes a lot of sense, and it is going to be good for both programs.” During the transition, the teams were forced to practice in other ways. “Our training will be different depending on where we do some of our faster runs because we don’t have a track at the moment,” senior distance runner Jackson Pruim said. “We will go to some other places around Searcy and get creative in our training. Once the track gets in, then we can return to our normal schedule.” When the track was installed, practice still looked different than it had before. There were some new features that the old track did not have. “It will be a really good track, and in a lot better condition,” senior pole vaulter Sarah Gautreaux said. “As a pole vaulter, we will be able to move our pit any direction to go with the wind. We only had two options with the old track.” Out of all of the people that experienced this transition, the runners faced the biggest changes. “I’m super pumped for the new track and the opportunity to be a part of this new era of Harding track and field,” Pruim said. “I’m also stoked to have that brand new surface to run on. It makes you feel faster and hopefully that will result in being faster.” While the track was not finished, the team tried to keep their minds in the right place for their training. “We don’t have a full track right now, and we are having to make adjustments with where we train,” Gautreaux said. “That doesn’t change my mindset. I just show up ready to work and give it my best like any other day.” The track was completed at the end of the fall 2022 semester. Written by: Jake Mooney TRACKING PROGRESS Construction begins on a new track. REACHING NEW HEIGHTS A member of the Harding track and field team pole vaults. Members trained while the new track was built. Photo by: Julianne Baker STRETCH IT OUT Members of the Harding track and field team stretch prior to running. They were excited to use the newly built track. Photo by: Julianne Baker
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