Sports

Freshmen lend helping hand

The transition from high school to college is hard for many people, and that is no different for the freshmen members of the women’s track team. Not only do they have to deal with tough academics and the transition to a new environment, but also the adjustment to their team.

“The transition from high school to college … I think it was very difficult at first, dealing with less diversity around the campus and on the team but I was able to adjust and it has been turning out pretty well so far,” said freshman sprinter Shuntia Lucas.

Because the transition can be so rough the coaches try to keep expectations to a minimum.

“The expectations are always mellow,” said head coach Peter Tegen. “It is tough to make it through the transition from high school to college. All of them really, have done a great job.”

The athletes have tried to not put too much pressure on themselves either, and have tried not to expect too much.

“I just expected to have great coaches, a great team, and to perform well basically,” said Lucas. “[I just wanted] to pick up where I left off in high school.”

Fellow freshman sprinter Venus Washington expressed similar ideas.

“I was hoping to come in with the same times that I had in high school, and get better, but it hasn’t worked out that way,” said Washington. “So I’m trying to get to the same times [from high school].”

If nothing else, the freshmen bring a renewed energy and depth to the team.

“Certainly [the freshman] bring a lot of energy for one, but they have also brought a little more depth,” said Tegen. “Some of the sprinters…Shuntia Lucas and Venus Washington, they really have begun to bring a spark to the team. Particularly Shuntia has done extremely well. She certainly is a great addition.”

What the girls have been able to accomplish has not come as a surprise to the coach, but it is more of what they expect out of older athletes, not freshman.

“We have expected that they do what they have done so far. It is really more what you expect from the sophomores and junior,” said Tegen. “There are some of them who have really begun to develop, and to become great athletes.”

The women are not worried about age though. They just show up every day ready to compete and do their best.

“It doesn’t really matter how old you are or how big you are, it is your ability,” said Lucas. “If you are able to compete at a Division 1 level, you are (able) to compete, and that is it.”

Some of the athletes have performed up to their own expectations so far in their careers with the help of college level coaching.

“I’ve reached my goals by working with Peter [Tegen] because, as they always say, behind every great athlete stands a great coach,” said Lucas. “Peter has stood behind me and encouraged me, and my times have really dropped. So I’m very satisfied. I’ve reached my goals because of the coaching.”

The goals and expectations will continue to rise from both the coaches and the athletes themselves as they continue to learn and grow.

“I think [the freshmen] will go through the regular process of [maturing]. There always is a lot of weeding out,” said Tegen. “I think they will just gel with the rest of the team, as they really already have, at least socially. Athletically, I think there will be a noticeable pick up next year. Usually the sophomores and the juniors are the ones that show big performance increases.”

Nobody knows for sure what lies in the future for this particular group of freshmen, but if they keep up their hard work and continue to receive great coaching, the sky is the limit.