Women’s Track and Field Sprint Into Spring

Sofia Barassi and Jack Drolet Sports Editor and Staff Writer

The SNHU women’s track and field team have competed several times this year as they came back from a shortened 2019-2020 season. This one will only be three out of their usual six months of competition.

In their opening meet at UNH, on April 3, sprinter Meghan Stroh (‘22), placed 3rd in the 200m in her first year as an upperclassman on the team. Having this experience made adjusting to the new modified season easier for the upperclassmen but a bit harder for the freshman. “With practice starting in September, [in] those first months, you definitely get very close to each other so coming in and immediately being in meet season definitely took a lot of adjusting,” said Stroh.

She continued, “And for us [upperclassmen], we knew what to expect going into meets, but the freshman had no idea and didn’t have that adjustment time to get practice meets in and time trials in. They kind of just jumped right into it. I think upperclassmen specifically took the role to help them navigate what to do.”

Teammate Jordan Woodford (‘22), hurdler, jumper andsprinter for the track team, continues on the subject by saying, “It’s tough because of COVID that we have to be physically separated, so that in itself is a barrier to try to get to know them and get everyone in one place and do actual physical team bonding.”

The Penmen have a few meets left before the NE10 championships on May 7 which they are currently working towards. “I want to see in general what I can do in a two month period...getting on the track and doing everything I can to get as much out of it,” said Stroh when asked about what her goals were for the season.

Additionally, Woodford is focusing on her technique and seeing what she is capable of for the few months remaining in the season.

The team is doing their best to stay connected with one another through their shortened season since restrictions make it harder to bond with each other. “We’re a very close team but not having those months [at the beginning of the season] was crucial,” said Woodford.

When asked what positive has come out of the season Woodford stated, “Very basically, the opportunity to be able to compete because I know a lot of people didn’t get it and were very grateful to have that. It is such a short window but you have to take what you can get and we’re very happy we’re doing it.”