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Track
team gets home-field advantage for invitational
The
Flying Frogs will host world-class athletes for the annual
track meet Saturday.
By
Kristy Cubstead
The
track team hopes to take advantage of home turf Saturday
as it hosts its first home meet of the season at the Lowdon
Track and Field Complex.
The fifth annual TCU Invitational will begin with field
events at 11 a.m. and running events starting around noon.
“It’s the only meet we host,” said director
of media relations Steve Fink. “It’s a great
opportunity for TCU athletes to run in front of their
fans.”
Texas and Rice will bring their men’s teams to Fort
Worth to compete in the Invitational. Meanwhile, Mississippi
State, Tulsa, Louisiana Tech, Northwestern State, South
Plains College, Stephen F. Austin State, Sam Houston State
and Barton County Community College will bring both men’s
and women’s teams.
Head coach Monte Stratton said the meet will feature many
great athletes.
“Texas men will present a really strong team and
some of the best athletes will come from Barton Community
College,” Stratton said.
The athletes are excited to finally host their first home
meet this season.
“It’s good to run on your own track,” said
MaKeatha Cooper who runs the 100 meter hurdles. “It
definitely gives you an advantage because you know the
track.”
Cooper also said it’s better to run on your home
track because of the atmosphere. She said the cheering
crowd is always a plus.
However, Stratton said running at home can also have negative
aspects.
“It can also be a disadvantage because they could
be too relaxed or even show up late,” he said.
The women’s team won the indoor events for the first
time and is now feeling some pressure to win the outdoor
events as well.
“Coach has high expectations, but we’re all
expecting everybody to put in their best times and do
their best,” Cooper said.
Fink said both the teams are looking to improve on times
each week, and always want to run their best times.
“This is a good opportunity to run a fast time and
qualify at regionals,” he said.
TCU alumna Darris Patton will also return to run at this
meet. Patton won a silver medal in Paris running the 200
meter.
Stratton said there will be a lot to look forward to this
weekend.
“There will be some quality world-class athletes
and some quality world-class performances,” he said.
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Courtesy
of Media Relations
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| Athletes
from all over the nation will be competing in the
fifth annual TCU Invitational this Saturday at the
Lowdon Track and Field Complex. |
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