On Saturday, Feb. 8, the Waynesburg University women’s track & field team appeared at the Bob Shannon Invitational for their fourth meet of the indoor season. In doing so, several members of the women’s team found themselves with placements that will inevitably have them looked at as favorites to rack up points for the impending PAC Championships.

One of the individuals who has already stood out in the limited appearances this indoor season is Ella Rishell, who after claiming the Waynesburg indoor record for 200 meter dash at Muskingum found herself placing again at Denison, taking fifth with a time of 27.41, which now puts her third all-time as well for the event. For head coach, Chris Hardie, he seems to have a method in place for what seems to be one of his best competitors.

“First of all, Ella is very talented, and I think she has her sights set on even loftier accomplishments in the coming weeks,” Hardie said.  “We prefer to train within the easy/hard method with most of our event groups, which means she works hard for the first day and has a lighter more technical day following.  This allows her to stay more fresh as the season rolls on.”

Another individual who seems to constantly find herself on the top of the distance sheets come meets end is Maggie Clair, who took eighth in shot put with a distance of 10.73. Hardie was also not shy in his adulation for another female who has placed at every meet thus far.

“Maggie is making big strides with her glide technique this year and will continue to get better each and every week.  I think the weight room training is also going to be a big key for her, and she is really working hard to increase her strength and speed,” Hardie said.

When it comes to the women, they and the men’s team will be traveling to Ohio Wesleyan on Friday, Feb. 14 for the final meet before the conference championships. Meg Barry, one of the seniors on the team and an individual who Hardie spoke glowingly of, elaborated on what to expect for the final regular season meet.

“This is an easier meet for us because it is a smaller competition meet for us, so everyone goes into it with a more relaxed mindset,” Barry said. “I think because everyone is so relaxed, they end up having those bigger days, those bigger jumps, those bigger throws, those faster times on the track and because of that, it builds that confidence at the perfect time of the year.”