Every sport season culminates in one last chance to beat a rival. The Macalester indoor track and field teams will have that opportunity at the MIAC Championships on Feb. 22-24, which will be hosted in the Leonard Center Fieldhouse this year.
On the women’s side, Hannah Sonsalla ’18 and Phoebe Aguiar ’19 have posted impressive times in this season’s meets. Sonsalla currently has the third fastest 200 meter time in the MIAC, and the fifth fastest 400 meter time while holding Macalester records in both of these events. Aguiar holds the fastest 600 meter time in the MIAC.
Other competitors also look like they may have successful MIAC meets. Lydia Simpson ’20 has consistently finished strong in her distance events this season, and Lea Davidson ’18 has also kept the Macalester distance runners competitive. Simpson stated that her goal for the conference meet is to PR in the 3,000 meter run, and given their close finishes in almost every meet so far, there’s no doubt that Davidson will be right on her heels. Carmen Garson-Shumway ’18 also has a shot at being a key runner for the Scots. She currently holds the fifth fastest 800 meter time in the MIAC.
The men’s team has faced a few obstacles on their way to competing at the championships. Despite injury and illness, they have performed well when healthy. Jack Schultenover ’18 is currently ranked ninth in the MIAC in the 60 meter dash, an event in which he holds a school record. Andrew Smith ’19, ranked third in the MIAC in the high jump, will also look to score points for Macalester.
“I’d like to move up on Macalester’s top 10 performance list for the distance medley relay,” Chris Boranian ’19, mile runner and another who is targeting a strong finish, said.
Regardless of placing, both teams are excited to compete at home. “I hope that my teammates find success in the meet and that we all represent Mac well and make everyone proud,” distance runner Jake Lepak ’20 stated.
The championships kick off on Feb. 22 with the women’s pentathlon and then men’s heptathlon at 2 p.m. and 2:20 p.m., respectively. On Feb. 23, day two of the men’s heptathlon begins at 10 a.m., and other field events start at 3:30 p.m. Track events start at 4:30 p.m. and go until 8:10 p.m. Lastly, field events begin at 10:15 a.m. on Feb. 24, and track events run from 1-4 p.m.
