Trackwomen start anew at Raleigh Relays

The beginning of a season provides the opportunity to start anew with a refreshed approach. Sometimes the pressure to succeed with premature expectations can be overwhelming to a team.

But Penn State women's track coach Teri Jordan isn't imposing any lofty goals on her team as the Lady Lions open their season today and tomorrow at the Raleigh Relays in Raleigh, N.C.

About 150 schools will compete in the meet. Jordan said it's not a highly competitive meet but establishes a starting point to expand from for the rest of the season.

"It's not a major meet as far as competition," she said. "We want to start well, but it's not about winning or losing. Most importantly, we want to stay healthy and set a base performance from which to build."

The Lions know the importance of setting early season goals, but there is an abundance of time to achieve them and improve throughout the season.

"It's a meet just to start off with," senior runner Erica Bosler said. "We're all looking to do well, but it's not the end of the world if we don't do good. We need to do what we've been doing in practice and don't get too frustrated if it doesn't work out."

Today's meet is just the first step of a long journey. Thus, the Lions would like to stay focused on each meet and not think about the future.

"We take it one at a time and week by week," senior distance runner Allison Glitz said. "And concentrate on what I have to do that weekend."

The team has competed all year. Its indoor season concluded two weeks ago and the thought of contesting outdoors in the warm spring Carolina sun seems delightful.

"It's easier to get motivated in the sunshine and warmth," Jordan said.

The track expands to double its length outdoors, which makes a big difference to the runners.

"I like running on a bigger track" Bosler said. "It seems like there's more straightaway to make your move."

For distance runners like Glitz, cutting the number of laps in half and reducing the turns make the outdoor season more enjoyable.

"I just don't enjoy running 15 to 20 laps around an (indoor) track," she said.

Today marks the start of what the Lions consider their "real" season. The indoor season was important in gaining experience and served as a catapult to the outdoors.

"I'm excited about getting started again," Jordan said. "I'm looking forward to the weather and what we consider our most important season -- outdoor."