The East Tennessee State University track team is heading into the 2004 indoor track season with high goals.
Head Coach David Walker said, “This season is going to be tough because we lost some kids through graduation and some who just didn’t come back which hurts the team.”
Walker is hoping that the seniors on the team step up and lead the team into a winning season.
Senior distance runner Brad Yewer, who won three Southern Conference titles and was awarded the Most Outstanding Track Performer at the 2003 SoCon Indoor Track and Field Championships, said he tries to lead by example.
Yewer always has a word with the men’s team before a meet, telling them they know what they have to do and to go out there and do it.
“I am a little older than most of the guys so I seem to understand more how to achieve goals,” he said.
Senior Kristin Truman, who competes in the javelin, heptathlon and jumps, agrees with Yewer and believes that she must lead at practice and that the fellowship of the team is what will make them win meets.
Both of these leaders hope that their actions will affect the team and the team’s performance.
Walker also said that his goal for both the women’s and the men’s track teams is to try and improve on last years finish.
Walker said, “I would be happy if we could slide back into the top four.”
Yewer agreed with Coach Walker, a top three or four finish would make him happy, but “You can’t ask anymore than to put in a really great performance.”
Yewer said, “The team needs to have a solid nucleus of points, we don’t have the numbers but we do have the talent.”
Truman added that both teams need to improve in the way they are capable of and step it up.
“I want the girls to compete at the highest level. We need to step it up because we are lacking in numbers,” he said.
Although the Buccaneer men’s and women’s track teams finished fifth overall in the 2003 Indoor Southern Conference Championship, their hard work and dedication could pay off this year.
With many key members returning, such as senior distance runner David Haefner and senior high jumper Cheryl Howard, both named All-Conference selection last year, the Buccaneers could pull ahead in another impressive season.
“Our number one goal should be improvement. If we don’t put forth the effort, then the talent does us no good,” said Truman.
The track team as a whole will have a chance to prove their talent in their season opener.
“We can’t ask anymore of the team than to put in a really great performance,” said Yewer.
The Niswonger Track and Field Invitational, the season opener for the team, is being held this weekend, Jan. 23 and 24, in the ETSU Memorial Center.

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