Preview of the Track and Field Season

Written and Media by Austin Brinkman [divide]

 

As the indoor track season is upon us. Greenville College Panthers’ track and field coaches and a few track athletes give some great insights for the season. Coach Brian Patton is a very positive and uplifting coach on campus for Greenville College along with his staff of Coach Easley, Coach Tarra, and Coach Tom. Coach Patton wants his team to build strong relationships with each other. Patton finds his aspirations for success through this particular C.S Lewis quote: “Unity is not found in positive emotions, but rather in hard work. Do not waste your time bothering whether you ‘love’ your neighbor; act as if you do.”

Coach Patton talking with the team while on the move.  greenville.edu
Coach Patton talking with the team while on the move.
greenville.edu

 

Coach Easley, one of the assistance coaches, took time out of his busy day to share some of his thoughts and goals for the upcoming track and field season. Coach Easley is looking forward to this upcoming season and hopes the women will have some good performances out of the young distance squad, throwers, and sprinters. He would also like to see the upperclassman continue to have success in their performances as well.

For the men, it is a different story. The team lost some key freshman runners and Bruce Gray, who was GC’s number one male track athlete runner last year. Easley says that even with the loss of Bruce, the men’s team should be still good with some solid performances at Christian Nationals this season.

Coach Easley believes that the newcomers of the team of freshman and transfers are going to help the team be successful. On the women’s team, they have some new jumpers including Gabby Adams, Sydney, and Rachel, the pole vaulter. This will be the first time in a while since the team has had a pole-vaulter. On the men’s side, the team has a great new thrower in Mitchel Hooten. Another great talent is also in John Mangold.

Coach Easley believes this team for the women will be better than last season’s team because of all the talent that is coming on board with the team. For the men’s squad, Easley mentioned that he is not too sure with losing Bruce, but that being said he has a good feeling about the newcomers on the team will help make the team more successful.

 

Men's team on picture day. Image from www.greenville.edu
Men’s team on picture day. Image from www.greenville.edu

Coach Easley says that each team member will grow closer together throughout the season after each meet.

 

Coach Easley quoted, “If everyone does their part in each event, we, as a team, will be great.”

Coach Patton and the rest of the coaching staff believe that through building great relationships, each member of the team will maximize to their highest potential. If the upper classman can show great sportsmanship and leadership, the team can overcome any obstacle. This week, the team will prepare for the first team meet of the indoor season at Illinois Wesleyan Saturday, December 5th at the Shirk center.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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