The Texas A&M University-Kingsville track and field team held its 10th Annual Blue & Gold meet last week. The meet is an inter-squad competition during which teammates compete against each other. The meet was a two-day event Thursday and Friday of last week.
The Blue & Gold meet is considered essential because it is the time the athletes and coaches can see where athletes’ training places them.
This past weekend the meet included events such as the 800-meter run, Hammer, Hurdles, long jump 60-meter dash, High jump, 400-meter, Discus, 3000m, pole vault, 150-meter run and Shotput. All the athletes – returners, new recruits and red shirts – found themselves in at least two events.
It certainly was a sight to see especially because the defending national championship team is expected to reach certain marks this time of year. The fall semester is, in fact, a great way for athletes to evaluate the progress about themselves. Brayln Fox, a transfer and thrower for the Javelinas, competed for the Gold team and shared her thought of the event.
“For me, I feel it was great practice to get ready for the season. I feel that it was that way for the whole team, to see where we’re at this time of the year and see what we all need to improve on,” she said.
Todd Nicholas, sprinter, senior and 4X100m champion, noticed his teammates’ dedication to the event.
“Just seeing everyone running hard and working to get better is great; we push each other that’s what makes us a good team,” he said.
After the two-day meet, head coach Ryan A. Dall was proud of his athletes and how they competed in their events.
“Overall the performances were good. I was pleased with the outcome of every event,” Dall said.
Dall said the team still had room for improvement. Overall, the TAMUK track and field team was able to compete in a real-meet atmosphere early and now they know where they stand. Some athletes like Rachel Somoye, Larissa Sanchez and Jonathan Harper compete on Dec. 7 and 8, as they head to Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, Kan., to kick off the 2018-19 indoor season.
