The UW-Eau Claire women’s track team competed in the WIAC Indoor Championships on Feb. 23 and 24 where they placed third out of eight teams.
The Bluolds received solid performances from fourth-year Ayden Fleeharty in the pole vault and fourth-year Mikayla Hady in the distance medley and 800-meter race. Fleeharty placed third in the Pole Vault and Hady placed second in both the Distance Medley and 800 meter race.
Heading into the WIAC tournament, Hady was looking forward to the competition.
“I was excited to race against good competition this weekend that I haven’t got to see this season so far,” Hady said.
When it was time for her to run the 800-meter race, Hady had a gameplan set to help her succeed.
“Hanging on the girls around me and making my move in the middle part,” Hady said.
By staying steady with the pack of runners in the beginning stages of the race and moving with the pace helped Hady make the move she needed to.
“Make a push when I needed to,” Hady said.
The push Hady referenced was crucial as it propelled her to a second-place finish with a time of 2:17.24, earning 8 points for the Blugolds.
With the race, Hady identified challenges that come with racing the 800 meter.
“It tends to get tactical and a quick race to focus down on,” Hady said.
With that said, Hady was able to prepare and deliver when needed to. Hady feels she is making strides this year during the indoor season and is ready for the outdoor season.
“Coach has us focusing on speed during winter training, I’ve definitely shown more speed in the 800 than I have in previous indoor seasons,” Hady said. “This has been my best indoor season yet.”
The second event Hady competed in was the distance medley (DMR), which consists of four runners on each team and is 4,000 meters long. Blugold runners Paige Morrell, Mya Cinnamo, Reagan Zimmerman and Mikayla Hady.
Hady was the first leg and knew what she had to do to help her group succeed.
“I know the strengths of my team members going in. I know where they like to sit,” Hady said. “My biggest goal was to hand it off in a good position to my teammates and give them something to work with.”
Hady put her team in a good position to compete and they delivered. The Blugolds ran a time of 12:20.58 to earn second place and 8 points.
Outside of her performance, Hady’s biggest takeaway from the tournament was the opportunity to bond with her team.
“The best thing about conference when we have to travel is that you get to meet the other groups you don’t normally interact with at smaller meets. Introducing yourself to other members of the team,” Hady said.
Hady felt like the opportunity to interact with the different groups of the track team was needed.
“It really boosted my morale going into outdoor season,” Hady said.
The Blugolds also received efforts in the Pentathlon from third-year Emilee Booker who was the champion in the 60-meter hurdle, second-year Lauren Dimler who placed second in the 800-meter run and fourth-year Jane Kautz who earned a second-place finish in the shot put.
The Blugolds will next compete in the Wartburg Last Chance Qualifier on March 2 in Waverly, Iowa.
Benes can be reached at [email protected].
