The men’s and women’s track and field spring season is underway, with their next meets on Jan. 31 and Feb. 1 at Penn State University. The teams carry strong momentum from a successful fall cross country season, where the men’s team placed fourth in the Patriot League Championship. Many cross country athletes have transitioned into track and field, bringing high hopes for the indoor and outdoor seasons.
Sophomore Andrew McGraw, who ran two personal bests in outdoor track last spring and redshirted for indoor track, is eager to take on his second year with the team.
“I’m excited to experience my first full indoor season and compete in several historic meets,” McGraw said. “[I’m looking forward to] spending time with [my] teammates both in practice as well as while traveling to meets. [Our bond as teammates] makes tough workouts fun and five-hour bus rides much more bearable.”
McGraw is hopeful for the spring season after a strong cross-country season in the fall.
“[The fall season] has given the team a lot of momentum and a lot of confidence leading into indoor track this spring,” McGraw said. “We need to stay healthy and do everything in our power to help the team.”
McGraw plans to run the 3K or 5K at the indoor conference championship. For the outdoor season, McGraw anticipates competing in the 5K or 10K, noting that the track 10K will be a new challenge.
“I am excited to tackle it and learn from teammates who have competed in the event in previous years,” McGraw said.
Sophomore distance runner Tyler Ferlise, who set three personal bests last spring, also looks forward to the camaraderie and travel that come with the season and has similarly high ambitions.
“[I want us to] set new PRs and place higher in the Patriot League than the team has in previous years,” Ferlise said.
First-year sprinter Colin Buckley is preparing to make his debut as a competing Raider and is setting goals to prepare the team for success. He hopes to better his performance and help out his team, as he will play an important role as part of a new wave of talent for the program, contributing to both individual and team aspirations.
“I would really like to get down to 56 seconds in the 400-meter hurdle — that would be great,” Buckley said.
On the women’s team, first-year distance runner Nell Droege, who was the first Raider to cross the finish line at the Patriot League Championships and placed in the top five at the Yellowjacket Invitational in the fall, is also eager for the season. With both personal and team ambitions, Droege is determined to make an impact in her debut track season.
“As a team, our big goals are to perform well in the Patriot League Championships,” Droege said. “I hope to run fast PRs in the 3K mile and [will try] the steeplechase.”
With ambitious spirits and strong momentum from the fall, the Colgate men’s and women’s track and field teams are ready to face Penn State on their home turf. The indoor season is officially underway, and the Raiders are focused on building a successful campaign for both conference championships and individual goals.
