Trackwomen set for outdoors

Most sports teams train for one competitive season each year. Such is not the case for the Penn State women's indoor track team.

The Lady Lions train in the off-season, and then compete during the winter season. However, when the competition of the winter season comes to a stop, the Lady Lions don't.

Penn State's first outdoor competition of the season is Friday and Saturday in North Carolina at the Raleigh Relays.

The Lions ended their indoor season by placing sixth at the Big Ten Championships, without sending any athletes to nationals and plagued with injuries. But all of that is expected to change during the outdoor season.

The Lions are back to full strength, having had the past two weekends without competition to recuperate. Carroll said the team is focusing on remaining healthy in the outdoor season after the rash of injuries throughout the winter.

"I think we can definitely win Big Tens," freshman Olutoyin Augustus said. "The competition should be tough, but I've learned not to be worried about the competition."

The major difference the spring season presents is outdoor competition. For runners like Augustus, who grew up running outdoors in Alabama, this is a definite plus. Those who compete outdoors also have to cope with the wind. This can especially make a difference in the long and triple jumps.

The outdoor season also involves a few more events, including the 4x100 and 4x200 relays.

"Relays are a big part of the team," Augustus said. "They bring the team together more."

In addition to the different events, the field of competitors the Lions will face in the outdoor season is more extensive, which affects how they compete.

"People focus more in outdoor competition," senior Shakeema Walker said. "There are more schools and more focus in the media. The outdoor season gets more recognition."