The men’s and women’s track and field teams took on 70 teams, 35 men’s and 35 women’s, during a two-day meet on Friday and Saturday.
The meet lasted the entirety of both days. On Friday, the preliminary rounds were held, and the top eight out of every event advanced to compete in the finals on Saturday.
The Buccaneer Invitational was the last home meet of the season, and the Bucs are preparing to take on their final two meets in the upcoming weeks before the indoor conference championship. Once these meets are over, they then will be moving into the outdoor season.
George Watts, director of track and field, expects the men and women to perform their best, seeing as it’s late in the season and every skill should be as precise as it can be.
“We’re excited,” Watts said before the invitational. “This meet should be one of our best performances.”
The meet was important for the Bucs not only in the rankings but also to beat the various conference teams that will be represented.
Brett Squibbs Jr. was one of 33 competitors in the pole vault at the invitational and looked to have competition that pushed him to beat his personal record of 5.15 meters in indoor. Squibbs had worked all week both in the gym and on his pole vault technique, preparing to do his best in the invitational.
“I’ve always been told you compete how you practice,” Squibbs said.
This meet was the ultimate practice before the conference championship.
Macy Carrier (sophomore) and distance runner for the Bucs, was also focused on prepping for her 3K at the invitational. Carrier has only raced once before this indoor season, which was a 5K. Last season, she participated in the 3K, and her best time was a 10:36. With this being her first time racing the 3K again, she hoped to get close or surpass that personal record.
“I have to work hard at practice,” Carrier said, “mentally preparing for this race.”
Along with practice, eating right and sleeping well are important factors that play into every runner’s, and athlete’s, outcome in a track and field meet.
