Indoor track and field team makes first D-1 regional appearance

The indoor track and field team made its first-ever NCAA Division I appearance on May 27-29 in Austin, Texas, with six qualifiers.
After being back-to-back Great West Conference champions, the team had six members qualify for regionals. Although the team’s effort was not enough to advance to the NCAA championships in Eugene, Oregon, the team gained experience in competing at a new level.

The qualifiers were throwers Cody Olsen and McKell Camp, distance runners Trac Norris and Mary Nothum, mid-distance runner Tim Rowberry and sprinter Allah Laryea-Akrong.

Head coach Scott Houle had high expectations for the team and was not disappointed.

“It was a great experience,” said Houle.  “It was very exciting.”

As a freshman from Ghana, this was Laryea-Akrong’s first NCAA postseason meet. He finished nineteenth in the 100-meter semi-final round and had his best placement at 15th in the 200-meter semi-final round. “It was something that I had to work for,” Lareya-Akrong said.

Despite coping with an injury, Laryea-Akrong learned from competing against top athletes.

“There is a lot that I can work on,” he explained.  “I could have been more prepared.”

With the off-season starting last week, Houle has been considering goals for the 2011 outdoor track and field team. He stated that he wishes to “continue to make this program better.” The school’s participation in the NCAA championship will serve as a learning experience going into next season.