Eagles track and field has kicked off to a solid start in the indoor season. For some team members like sophomore transfer Kayedence Bruner, all of this is new. Despite this, the young hurdler/jumper explained how positive the change has been for her.
“It’s great. The team is really fun to be around,” Bruner said. “The team is always encouraging.”
Bruner also discussed how different the coaching is here compared to her previous school.
“The coaches are really pushing us,” Bruner said. “They’re great too. They want the best out of us, and that’s what we wanted.”
While Bruner is experiencing all of this for the first time, junior thrower Caitlyn Windell is accustomed to how the seasons are run.
“It’s pretty cool to be able to compete at the collegiate level,” Windell said. “There was a time in high school where I didn’t think I was going to be able to compete on a team. I tried for a while to find a coach who was willing to take me under the wing, and now that I do have one, it’s just really cool to be able to have this opportunity and to show people my stuff.”
Windell spoke about looking forward to competing in the hammer throw, an event she has spent the last couple of years training in.
“I didn’t get to compete in Hammer last year or my freshman year,” Windell said. “I was learning the basics of form and how to spin because the weight is different.”
While Bruner and Windell are still on the earlier sides of their careers, senior middle-distance runner Austin Mcnair is back for at least one more year.
“It’s super cool, getting to compete in the indoor season,” Mcnair said. “We go up against a lot of really good competition, getting to travel and see everyone else from around the country compete. It’s a good experience and gets us ready for the Conference and National meets.”
Despite Mcnair being on the roster since 2020, this will be his first year competing at high level competitions. Mcnair shared his accomplishment of ranking fifth in the conference for the men’s 3000 meter race.
“I’ve never really been at this level of competition before,” Mcnair said. “It’s really gratifying seeing everything coming together finally, especially after a few years of not really being relevant at all. It’s great motivation to keep working harder and get even quicker.”
Mcnair described how the team has been performing so far.
“Everyone’s doing really well,” Mcnair said. “The freshmen are pitching in, Ethan Anthony’s having a great season, all the guys are coming along well and carrying their load as well. So it’s going to be exciting to see how everyone progresses the rest of the year.”
Head coach Wade Miller said he is excited for this team, highlighting the upperclassmen as a whole.
“We have a good group of upperclassmen who are really committed to giving their best as teammates and competitors,” Miller said. “These athletes contribute to a good team atmosphere and help accelerate the development of our underclassmen. That attitude is really exciting and enjoyable for our coaching staff to work with.”
Miller also spoke on how the team proves hard work pays off
“Our sport is such a great reflection of unique talents and events,” Miller said. “It requires an enormous amount of dedication to refine and hone the traits and skills that lead to success.”
On Feb. 23-24, the Eagles will compete in the Lone Star Conference meet at the OU Indoor Track Facility in Norman. The meet will feature senior heptathlete Chaney Martin.
“This is a great meet if you are looking for an opportunity c to support our program,” Miller said.
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