Qualifying winter track athletes traveled to the Jane And David Ott Center at the University of Pennsylvania on February 13 to compete in the Meet of Champions.
Throughout the winter track season, athletes prepared for the Meet of Champions by adjusting their training.
According to indoor track coach Anthony Pace, the Meet of Champions required the athletes to meet a “designated standard” in order to qualify for the event.
“Our league is so good,” senior Savannah Powlus said. “There’s so many good athletes,”
Once athletes qualified for the meet, Pace looked to adjust the team’s training to ensure that the athletes were ready.
“Weightlifting would have been the biggest thing where we definitely scaled back,” Pace said. “If anyone was going to lift, it was going to be on a Monday or Tuesday so that we were recovered by Friday.”
The team adjusted the intensity of their workouts.
“We did not try to go outside in the bus loop and get shin sprints or do anything crazy,” Pace said. “We stayed inside and did not overwork ourselves.”
The indoor track team had a higher number of athletes qualify for the Meet of Champions than in previous years.
“We had 15 athletes qualify to compete, which was our high, at least the last four years I’ve been coaching,” Pace said.
With the increased number of athletes attending the event, some athletes took preparation into their own hands.
“I put in two hours or more every day,” Powlus said.
Athletes used the weight room during practices to focus on their events to prepare for the Meet of Champions.
“I kind of separated myself with skill-based workouts,” junior Savannah Washington said.
“Savannah Washington did have a [personal record] in her triple jump. She got two inches better than earlier in the year,” Pace said.
Powlus used a private coach to intensify and further expand her training.
“When the attention is all on you, your coach is able to focus on the fine details and mechanics of your event,” Powlus said.
For Powlus, it’s important to properly fuel herself to prepare for a meet, especially a larger meet such as the Meet of Champions.
“I ate a lot of carbs before to energize myself, and I try to stay hydrated,” Powlus said.
The championship was an important opportunity for many competing. “It was the best of the best athletes,” Pace said, “all your high-end varsity-level players.”
“The environment was definitely very competitive,” Powlus said.
The environment caused athletes to push themselves harder and strive to complete their goals, Washington said.
The meet was run slightly differently from previously attended meets.
“The meet started from the 30 board instead of the 24 board, which is what I’m used to,” Washington said.
For some athletes, their performances at the meet were also affected because of inclement weather. The team was stuck inside for about a month.
“It is always easier to practice on the track,” Pace said.