Photo Courtesy of UTRGV Athletics
After a successful indoor season, the UTRGV Men’s and Women’s Track and Field Teams are ready to keep their momentum going into the outdoor season.
The Vaqueros wrapped up their indoor season at the Southland Conference Championship, where the men’s team placed sixth out of 11 universities and the women’s team placed third out of 12.
Both teams recently set off for the Bobcat Invitational last Thursday in San Marcos. Results are available at goutrgv.com
Head coach Shareese Hicks highlighted the differences in the outdoor season and the mentality the team must maintain.
“Every knee is different, the wind is different, the competition is different, but if they’re able to stay poised as the competition gets greater and greater, we’ll see the improvement that we need for the final result,” Hicks said. “We want to push for championships in the Southland and go and qualify for the NCAAs and beyond.”
She emphasized the need for consistency within the team.
“The main area of improvement for us is going to be just being consistent,” Hicks said “No matter what’s going on outside of the sport, just really focus on continuing to execute things the same way. If you do that, you’re bound to have success very quickly.”
Junior sprinter Jamari Harts was named Killers Golf Student Athlete of the Week and SLC Men’s Track Athlete of the Week.
Harts expressed his gratitude for receiving these recognitions.
“That actually means a lot to me because things like that is very major, and I don’t take it for granted,” he said. “Just to be named Athlete of the Week, [it] means so much.”
Harts opened the outdoor season by setting a program record, finishing second with a time of 20.95 in the 200-meter dash. He also claimed first place in the 400-meter dash with a time of 46.81, tying for sixth-fastest athlete.
He credited Hicks for helping him stay poised throughout his athletic career.
“She trains me to run rounds, not just only run one race,” Harts said. “So, if I’m going out at a meet, and I’m just only running one of it, it’s less stress on my body and more easy to run. It really just made me set more higher standards. I can still get faster and there’s better things down the road for me this season.”
He spoke on what keeps his nerves in check during competition.
“I always pray because it eases my heart, it eases my nerves,” Harts said. “I talk to my dad a lot because my dad has been with me on this road. He helps me ease my mind and he lets me know what I’m capable of.”
The UTRGV Men’s and Women’s Track and Field Teams will compete in the Cactus Cup April 12 in Kingsville.
This is Leonardo Guajardo for Vaquero Radio.
