Track team works to overcome struggles
Jamie Arthur
Issue date: 4/24/08 Section: Sports
The word "adversity" isn't new to the athletes' and coaches' dictionary. However, it is one that Pittsburg State head track and field coach Russ Jewett has become quite familiar with over the past few months.
With just two weeks until the MIAA Outdoor Championships, adversity has been a major factor for the Gorillas all season.
While the men's squad has had to endure the injury of a few athletes, that adversity has manifested itself in a more noticeable way on the women's team. Before the season even started, the Gorillas were already at a disadvantage with the strategic redshirt of runner Venessa Lee and thrower Misty Peterson.
Then, as competition began in March, several athletes fell victim to illness and injury.
"A combination of all those things has weakened our team a little bit in terms of performance," Jewett said. "Our women's team is going through some struggles, but athletics isn't all just about winning championships, it's the process you go through to try to do that and we're certainly building character through adversity."
Despite looking a little thin in the running events, the PSU women posted a few notable performances last weekend as the team split to compete at the Kansas Relays in Lawrence and the Central Missouri Relays in Warrensburg, Mo.
At Kansas, freshman Brittany Graff placed fourth in the 3,000-meter run with a time of 10 minutes, 40.51 seconds and senior Julie Jones was seventh in the 10,000-meter run in 38:44.76.
Freshman Michelle Mitchell led the Gorillas at UCM, winning the pole vault and setting a personal record as she cleared 11 feet, 9.75 inches. She also placed second in the long jump with a mark of 16-10.75.
Jewett admits that right now it would be difficult for the women to contend for a conference title.
"Our attitude will determine how we do," Jewett said. "There's going to be some points we can't score because of certain situations, but we need to continue to build the attitude that we need to maximize the resources we have."
With just two weeks until the MIAA Outdoor Championships, adversity has been a major factor for the Gorillas all season.
While the men's squad has had to endure the injury of a few athletes, that adversity has manifested itself in a more noticeable way on the women's team. Before the season even started, the Gorillas were already at a disadvantage with the strategic redshirt of runner Venessa Lee and thrower Misty Peterson.
Then, as competition began in March, several athletes fell victim to illness and injury.
"A combination of all those things has weakened our team a little bit in terms of performance," Jewett said. "Our women's team is going through some struggles, but athletics isn't all just about winning championships, it's the process you go through to try to do that and we're certainly building character through adversity."
Despite looking a little thin in the running events, the PSU women posted a few notable performances last weekend as the team split to compete at the Kansas Relays in Lawrence and the Central Missouri Relays in Warrensburg, Mo.
At Kansas, freshman Brittany Graff placed fourth in the 3,000-meter run with a time of 10 minutes, 40.51 seconds and senior Julie Jones was seventh in the 10,000-meter run in 38:44.76.
Freshman Michelle Mitchell led the Gorillas at UCM, winning the pole vault and setting a personal record as she cleared 11 feet, 9.75 inches. She also placed second in the long jump with a mark of 16-10.75.
Jewett admits that right now it would be difficult for the women to contend for a conference title.
"Our attitude will determine how we do," Jewett said. "There's going to be some points we can't score because of certain situations, but we need to continue to build the attitude that we need to maximize the resources we have."
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