Both men's and women's track and field teams begin their indoor seasons tonight with the Tiger Small College Invitational at DePauw's Indoor Tennis and Track Center. Both squads bolster young, but enthused, rosters that hold hopes of success — even in a new conference.
The teams will join the North Coast Atlantic Conference for their inaugural indoor and outdoor seasons. But the new conference has not changed their mindset.
"This is a much more competitive conference...in terms of depth," said Kori Stoffegren, men and women's head coach. "But the goal every season is always ‘win conference.' That's not going to change."
Junior Myron Burr, men's hurdler, would agree.
"The goal for every season never really changes. We want to be really competitive, fast and we always want to win our conference," he said.
Winter Term didn't do the team any favors. Most squads around the country enter indoor season with a month of training under their belt. However, DePauw's teams got only one week together before tonight's meet. The teams must also work to prepare for its first ever indoor conference championship on March 2 at Wabash College.
"Winter Term really puts us at a disadvantage," said senior Sam Wong, women's captain. "We always want to do really well indoor."
Stoffegren also mentioned that the team is adjusting to training after Winter Term.
"Right now we're just kind of seeing where everyone is at," Stoffegren said. "Half the team is gone over Winter Term, but this was one of the best Winter Term's we've had. There are a lot of new guys. I'm anxious to see how that all comes together."
A new season always brings new hopes and attitudes, but there is a definite feeling of anticipation for both teams. Both coach and captains agree that they need to perform at a high level more than ever to remain competitive in the new conference.
"Expectations are certainly higher than ever in my mind," senior Tyler Giesting said. "I think this is the case around most of the sports in the new conference. Competition is tougher. I think we will surprise ourselves, and no one is really setting a limit on our goals."
On the women's side, the team will depend on leadership from team captains Wong and seniors Lisa Becharas and Chenae White. Burr, Giesting and senior Jon Cripe captain the men's team.
The Tigers begin their season at 5 p.m. this evening at the Indoor Track Center.