Track Stars The track and field team looks back on their 2023 season. Harding University’s Track and Field team celebrated a standout season in spring 2024, showcasing both personal triumphs and collective achievements. Athletes reflected on the memorable moments that defined their journey, from breaking records to competing at a national level. Senior Josphat Meli highlighted a key moment leading up to the national competition. “Every weekend, not less than two competitions were going on, and many people were trying to compete at the same time to have qualifying times for the outdoor nationals,” Meli said. “I was happy because it was the first time for Harding University to appear on the podium.” Meli’s determination and the team’s collaborative spirit played a significant role in their success, as they worked together to push past their limits. The team’s dynamic was a defining factor in its accomplishments. “Motivating each other and sharing skills was the big key that helped me believe and think that we are together,” Meli said. Harding alumna and graduate assistant Anna Kay Clark found her most memorable moment during the national competition, where she set a personal and school record in the javelin after overcoming a long slump. “It’s always humbling to perform at such a high level and make connections with the other athletes,” Clark said. “I was able to improve my personal and school record for the javelin, so that was an exciting feeling.” Clark also emphasized the impact of Harding’s team dynamic on her personal success. “The team dynamic was incredibly helpful for both my personal and our collective success last season,” Clark said. “Often, it was my teammates’ successes that kept me going because it’s rare to have consistent success as an individual.” Senior Kelman De Carvalho shared a similar experience, recalling his success in the national decathlon, in which he placed third. “Scoring 7,518 points not only represented a personal best for me but also earned me an invitation to compete in the Thorpe Cup,” De Carvalho said. The Thorpe Cup brought together top American and German athletes, offering him the chance to compete on an international stage. De Carvalho also highlighted the camaraderie within the team. “Whenever practice was intense or challenging, we always supported each other,” De Carvalho said. The team’s spiritual life also benefited them. Clark explained that their faith helped them stay grounded throughout the season. “There is something special about being daily reminded of the fact that we serve a God that is greater than ourselves,” Clark said. De Carvalho echoed this sentiment, recalling the team’s devotional nights. “These gatherings brought us all together and created a strong sense of unity and purpose,” De Carvalho said. The Harding University track and field team’s spring season showed a success that went beyond competition results. Through teamwork, faith and perseverance, they achieved remarkable things together that inspired dedication to hard work for future seasons. Written by Aja Griffin GOING THE DISTANCE Juniors Noelle King, 12, and Jose Parks, 2, compete in a long distance race. Photo courtesy of Jeff Montgomery 227 Track and Field
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