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For starters, indoor tracks are typically 200m, half of an average outdoor track, so the sprints are shortened to avoid too many curves and turns. This way, no one has to put up with a Nascar-esque race. Also, field events such as the javelin, hammer and discus are not contested during the indoor season as there is rarely enough room to stage these events indoors without someone getting hurt.

Although every athlete goes through regular training to prepare for their competitive season, track athletes prepare for two seasons at once. This dual preparation adds stress to athletes. Both seasons have their ups and downs, much like going to the fair: one gets that delicious deep-fried food, but it doesn’t last long on the Sizzler.

But perhaps the most important difference between the two seasons is the weather. The athletes have to understand and adapt to the difference between the styles of running. During the indoor season, runners don’t have to worry about wind and harsh weather conditions affecting the tempo of the meet and their ability to perform. However, the shorter track creates some difficulties that are nonexistent during the outdoor season. Since the indoor sprints are cut in half, sprinters have less room to catch up and the pressure is all about the start.

However, many believe that the indoor season sets the table for the outdoor. Once runners are able to dominate the 60m, they will most likely be able to succeed in the 100m, as they will have nailed getting out of the blocks. After that, all they have to do is stay in the lead.

If the indoor season exists to prepare athletes for the outdoor season, then Hamline’s track and field team should go far this year. A refreshing blend of old and new is what is making this year’s team so successful. The team has been strengthened by the return of many distance demons from last season’s national qualifying cross country team, who have decided to maintain their game by competing in track.

Senior Jake Courrier is just one of the athletes that Hamline will be looking at for the win. Courrier was recently named MIAC Field Athlete of the week and threw a 35 lb. weight 58’ 4.75” at the St. Olaf Qualifier on Feb. 25, which ranked him first in the MIAC and eighth in all of NCAA Div. III. He has broken the Hamline record three times this season, twice in consecutive weeks.

Junior Travis Bristow has also been a star athlete this season. He is listed fourth on the Hamline all-time list and is the second fastest in the MIAC this year with his time of 8:37.62 in the 3000m run.

Leading Hamline in the sprints are junior Ben Ganske and first-year Brent Nelson with Ganske finishing his personal best in the 55m and 200m races while Nelson tied his personal best in the 200m.

The Pipers will kick-off the outdoor season during spring break with their first meet in San Diego, California.