During the winter to spring transition, Miami University’s track and field team begins its outdoor season. The RedHawks host the Blizzard Buster Friday, March 21, marking the first competition of the outdoor season.
The track and field team started its indoor season on Jan. 10, running at indoor meets over the winter to prepare for the upcoming outdoor season. The team ended its indoor season on March 1 at the MAC Indoor Championships, finishing in seventh place of 12 teams.
Senior discus thrower, Adam Smith, does not get the same experience runners do over the winter. Indoor track and field does not hold discus or javelin events. The only events for throwers are shot put and weight throw.
By default, Smith has to throw shot put in the winter, as he does not throw weight. Smith said over the indoor season, he achieved some new personal records in shot put, but he cannot wait to start throwing discus outdoors.
“I don’t throw the weight,” Smith said. “I set a few personal records over the winter, although I’m not necessarily built for shot put. My expectations were low for indoor. Now that the weather changed, so did my expectations.”
Smith said the biggest difference going from indoor to outdoor is the weather. Running indoors from January to February, weather is not a variable until March, when the outdoor season starts. Some athletes welcome the spring climate, rain or shine, like Smith’s teammate Quinn Kroneker.
On his first day back from injury, sophomore pole vaulter Quinn Kroneker got to the track alone to practice his vaults. He practices to make up lost time. Kroneker’s freshman year was stopped short with two stress fractures on his lower back, ending his indoor and outdoor seasons.
His first competition back is the Blizzard Buster.
“Freshman year, I put a lot of pressure on myself for really no reason,” Kroneker said. “For outdoor I’m looking to get back from my injury and have fun, without any concerns for what happened before.”
Kroneker said he is very optimistic about the outdoor season, partly due to the weather. Spring weather brings rain, which fires Kroneker up.
“I love hot rain during a track meet,” said Kroneker. “A lot of people despise the rain because it can get in the way if you pole vault or high jump, but in those conditions I think I do better than my competition.”
This is not the case for every RedHawk, as others are looking forward to the fresh air and clear weather of the outdoor season.
Senior long and high jumper, Elle Miller, is coming off of her best indoor season yet, achieving the most consistent marks she’s seen. Miller said the team is in a really good position right now after training over the winter.
For Miller, she is ready to get outside and enjoy the nicer weather. She said competing indoors all winter gives her and her teammates a hunger for the anticipated outdoor season.
“I’m ready to get some fresh air,” Miller said. “I think our team is in a really good spot right now after training indoors. With our progression [over the winter], I think everyone is going to do really well for the outdoor season.”
The Blizzard Buster begins at 9 a.m. March 21. Miami University hosts the event at George L. Rider Track. Results will be live at https://www.abtiming.com/ and posted afterward to the Miami University Track and Field website.
