By Megan Maharry
Sports Editor
The scene is set. The runners take their places at the starting line. With a deep breath, they crouch into their starting positions. As soon as the gun goes off, it’s time to shine.
The Northwestern athletic department recently added a new addition to the athletic programs: women’s track and field.
In its first season, the women’s track and field team have wasted no time climbing the ranks and proving they are a force to be reckoned with.
The track and field team have competed in seven meets so far and have two remaining: the Great American Conference Outdoor Championship and the NCAA Outdoor Championship.
In the past seven meets, the Lady Rangers have done extremely well and have broken school records.
Freshman Keiazyiah Young is among the team members who have made school history with broken records.
Young currently holds records in the open 100, 200 and 400 as well as the 4×1 and 4×4 team event.
In addition to these accomplishments, Young also competes in the 4×100, the 4×400, the triple jump and long jump.
In the inaugural GAC Indoor Championships meet, Young earned First Team All-GAC in the triple jump. She also earned Second Team All-GAC honors in the long jump.
“I actually didn’t know I made the First Team for GAC until a few weeks after that meet,” Young said. “It was shocking because I am only a freshman and this is my first year learning how to do the event that landed me on that first team.”
Coming into the program in its first year, Young said she didn’t expect to win championships and nationals.
“I do expect to learn better techniques and understand the fundamentals it takes to become a champion,” Young said.
Junior Cayla Smithers also earned First Team All-GAC. She also currently holds records in the triple jump, long jump and 4×1.
“It was awesome and an honor to make history for Northwestern and I plan to do it again,” Smithers said.
Several other members of the Lady Rangers team have broken both school and personal records.
In the Emporia State Spring Twilight meet, the 4×100 relay team set a new best time at 50.47, which was a second and a half faster than their previous time at the OBU Early Invite.
Both Kayla Gourley and Jessalyn Rivet-Tissot had top ten finishes in the Emporia State Spring Invite, and Ladasheray Bell set the top program mark for Northwestern when she crossed the finish line in the 1500 meter with a time of 5:16.35.
Junior Megan Mayfield said she set out to do the best she can during her first season.
In her last meet in Yukon, she set a new personal record in the 200.
She also ran five seconds faster in her 4×400 event than the last time she ran.
Mayfield said she is impressed with how well their first season is going.
“Being a first-year program it is hard to prove to the university and other schools that we deserve to be here and can compete with some of the best,” Mayfield said. “This is a great group of hardworking women and they give their best every meet.”
The Lady Rangers will round out their season with their final meet on May 23 and 25.