Regent’s Track & Field Team Competes in First Out-of-State Invitational at Lenoir-Rhyne University

Saturday, March 18 marked a day of firsts for Regent University’s intercollegiate Track & Field team members as they participated in their first out-of-state meet for the Southside Power & Fitness Invitational at Lenoir-Rhyne University in the foothills of Hickory, North Carolina.

The weekend was filled with outstanding athletic achievement, the building and strengthening of friendships, and new opportunities to represent Christ.

This was the team’s first meet after Spring Break, and the participants and coaches had an attitude of expectancy about the day’s events.

“I’m expecting that everybody should do well. Everybody should run an aggressive race with no reservations, and I really believe everybody’s going to have a good time today,” head coach Ayanna Reece expressed.

When asked how he felt about Saturday’s races, assistant coach Timothy Wright said, “I feel good! I think we had a really good week of practice…I’m very confident in everybody’s abilities.”

Saturday also marked the first outdoor meet of the season, which brought excitement to the team members and coaches.

Before the meet started, College of Arts & Sciences (CAS) student Tara Bland (’20) commented, “Outdoor is my favorite season, [because] everything is spaced out, there’s more of a crowd…there’s just more enthusiasm to me.”

CAS student Betty Barkers-Woode (’19) said, “I think I’m excited! The two or three weeks off [were] interesting, and I’m ready to get on the track and do what I’ve been training for.”

Aside from athletics, times of leisure over the past weekend presented the team with opportunities to fellowship. They bonded through taking funny photos during the six-hour bus ride, joking around during multiple mealtimes, encouraging each other to endure the dreaded ice baths, and praying with one another before races.

On the team’s spirit of unity, CAS student David Prevost (’18) said, “I may not know everyone very well on the Regent track team, but I can attest that we have a bond that is more than just a sport; it is God that unites us.”