The men’s track team has maintained a decent standing in this year’s track season as the Spartans continue to break personal records and take winning positions in their races. With the season in full swing, the team still has a ways to go before the Spartans can take a breather. Six meets are left in the regular season, four of which are multi-day events. The Spartans are in the thick of the season.
Their first meet at Embry-Riddle saw multiple Spartans such as freshman Aaron Oldanie, sophomore Evan Wheeler, sophomore Scott Billings and freshman Marcus Tivis breaking personal records on the track. Freshman Jimmy Wear was another record breaker, but instead of making it his personal best time, he was able to break the school’s record in the 400 meter run with a time of 50.29 seconds. Not only were multiple records broken, but the Spartans were able to maintain a strong presence in their events with many finishing in the top ten.
The USF Invitational proved to be a challenge for the men, but nevertheless they were able to turn it into another opportunity with multiple personal records broken and Wear breaking his previous school record in the 400 meter run by almost one full second with a time of 49.46. The Spartans were able to remain strong during the meet as all competitors placed in the top ten. The second half of the USF meet saw the Spartans 4 by 400 relay team of Tivis, Billings, freshman Jessie Boria and Wear break the school record with a time of 3:25:99.
The Florida State Relays ended in success for the Spartans as junior Geremy DeWitt was able to break a personal record in the men’s 5K with a time of 15:28. Freshman Matt Hoffman won the second heat with a time of 15:48 while junior Kyle Taylor finished second at 15:56, notching yet another personal record. Mike Zwijacz came in at 34:00 in the 10K.
But with all their recent success, the Spartans still have a ways to go before the end of the season. With the Florida Relays and Embry-Riddle meet back to back from April 3 to April 5, the Spartans have a stamina-testing challenge to overcome. Coach Jarrett Slaven is hopeful for his team.
“We look forward to any and all challenges, and hope to meet our goals,” Slaven said.
With this being Slaven’s 15th season with the team, he has been able to turn the Spartans from a simple walk-on program to a nationally ranked team. He has led the Spartans to finish in the top 10 at the NCAA finals a total of four times, placing eighth in 2003 and 2004 and placing 10th in 2007 and 2009. With this goal still fresh in mind, the Spartans still have much to accomplish before the Championships.
Grant Pawlak can be reached at grant.pawlak@spartans.ut.edu.