With the BIG EAST Championship less than a month out, the Marquette Track and Field team is set to have a full and healthy squad.
“Teams that are winning are going to be well rounded in most respects,” head coach Bert Rogers said.
Rogers said as Marquette has built up its team, there has been a focus on the field events, as these events can end up being the difference in winning or losing a meet.
“There have been some other teams that have been composed of all track events and almost nothing in the field and they scored a ton of points on the track and lost,” Rogers said. “When you’re leaving out almost half of the events you know it’s hard to win. The teams that are well represented usually win.”
Fifth-year pole vaulter Brielle Buechler will be looked at to hold a big role on the team for the duration of the season.
At the Blue Demon Holiday Invite in Chicago Dec. 10, Buechler opened up at 3.80 meters, which is off her personal record, by 0.8. Currently, the school record stands at 3.93 meters.
Buechler said a goal of hers is to surpass her personal record at every meet.
“I want to continue to build off of what I did at the beginning of the season,” Buechler said.
Senior high jumper Harry Blake is out to a strong start this season after being dealt with injuries the last three seasons.
“For the first time in four years, I have managed to jump two meters, which is good,” Blake said. “I’m very excited for the rest of the season because the pain is slowly going away so I’m excited to see what I’m actually going to do in my final year.”
With the start of February coming up, so is the start of meets for the field events team.
“All these individuals came together to form a team and to compete in meets,” Rogers said. “It’s a unique situation. (Almost like a) little bit of track and field magic.”
Rogers said this year’s team is compiled of “bunch of good athletes and a good group of seniors” in addition to its depth.
Senior multi-athlete, Joe Keys brings versatility to the unit, Rogers said.
“He can hurdle, throw and pole vault,” Rogers said. “He almost won the BIG EAST in the long jump last year, he’s right up there in the javel and he’s an All-American so he gets a lot done.”
Graduate student Megan Wallace joins the women’s side after transferring from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.
“Last year she set the Division III national record in the heptathlon so she’s pretty pretty talented,” Rogers said.
According to Rogers, additional names to keep an eye on include Brielle Buechler, Sam Johnson and Lindsey Murchison.
Additionally, Rogers said first-year triple jumper Kaylee Hopp is someone who will be used in upcoming competitions.
“She jumped really far in high school and we’re looking forward to her making it an impact (here),” Rogers said. “(Plus) she has the great name to be a jumper.”
While field event athletes might not be sprinters or mid-distance runners, these athletes will be needed in the team’s pursuit of reaching its season goals and success.
“I am always trying to do the best I can in order to score points for the team, especially when we get down to the conference meet when every point really matters and we’re all fighting together for the BIG EAST title,” Buechler said.
This article was written by Johnnie Brooker. He can be reached at [email protected].
