After finishing seventh out of 11 teams at the indoor PAC Championships and fourth out of 11 teams at the outdoor PAC Championships, the men’s track team is looking to have a promising season. 

The men had two first place events in the 100 meter dash and the 10,000 meter race respectively at the outdoor championships.

“Track is a tough sport where a lot of different people are coming together in a lot of different events,” Head Coach Chris Hardie said. 

The best events for the men are distance and throws. There were multiple records broken in men’s track and field last year while others came close. The indoor track records were acquired by Andrew Kasper in the 5000 meter with a time of 15 minutes and 37 seconds, Quintin Weaver, Noah Jones, Kyle Casella and Kaper in distance medley relay with a time of 10 minutes and 45 seconds and Weaver in the 800 meter, 1000 meter and 3000 meter. 

The outdoor records were Isiah Mathews in the 100 meter and 200 meter dash, Tyriek Williams in 110 meter hurdles with a time of 15.42 seconds, Matthew Shank in the 1500 meter Steeplechase with a time of four minutes and 50 seconds,  Weaver in 800 meter, 1500 meter and 5000 meter, Kasper in the 10000 meter with a time of 31 minutes and 54 seconds and Garret Hilliard in the hammer throw with a distance of 38.73 meters.  Virtue Bama, Zach Berrott, and Casella are set to be the top sprinters.  

The top middle distance runners are looking to be Aaron Sanders and Jones. Jacob Harker, John Stewart and Garret Hilliard are the season’s top throwers. Last year, Harker moved into third place in Waynesburg history for shot put in his freshman season. After finishing eighth out of 11 teams at the indoor PAC Championships and tied for ninth at the outdoor PAC Championships, the women’s team looks to improve from last season.  

The women had no first place finishes at the indoor PAC Championships. The top throwers for the women for this season look to be Meg Barry and Maggy Claire. 

The top distance runners look to be Ella Boothe, Erin Delong and Rayjanae Evans. The top sprinters will be Jaylene Mundorff, Reagan Pettis and Josie Plazio. 

The Waynesburg University track and field team hired a new throwing coach in Kevin Thacker, who threw at Waynesburg for the 2017-2018 season. 

“The opportunity is always there for you to come back and coach,”  Hardie said regarding the decision to bring back one of his alumni.

Thacker says he came back to coach at Waynesburg to grow personally and in his career.  

“I like the student environment and want to grow personally and in my career,” Thacker said. 

Thacker expressed that there will be some challenges as he adjusts from coaching high school to college athletics.

His goals for throwers this season are to have multiple PAC champions and to break throwing records.  Thacker wants to practice five to six days a week and wants his throwers to understand the throwing technique and why it works.  

In between their events at meets, he wants the throwers to support the events, relax, eat and hydrate. Thacker wants them to start stretching about 30 minutes before their event starts.  Thacker is excited and looks forward to coaching at Waynesburg University.