Belhaven鈥檚 track program makes family and excellence a top priority
JACKSON, Miss. (BVM) – Anybody can run, jump, or throw, but Belhaven University鈥檚 track and field program specializes in being 鈥渂uilt different.鈥澛�
The difference is in the team鈥檚 focus on family and excellence. Excellence starts with a quality presence in the classroom, which then translates to the track. Each team member shows up for practice to compete alongside their brother or sister. Practice is filled with a team warmup, workout, and prayer breakout.聽
To go along with the program’s family and excellence, the short indoor season has produced three conference athletes of the week and several team members ranking in the top ten of NCAA Division III track and field.聽
Also, the first two travel weekends of the season have involved early morning departures and late-night arrivals back to campus. Both weekends, the team traveled down to Birmingham, Alabama, to compete in competitions against professional and other collegiate athletes.聽
The early success has shown that the offseason training that started the year off is doing wonders. The offseason training was full of segment runs, hills, plyometrics, and other base training techniques.聽
The training has led Belhaven to have the No. 1 ranked athlete, Charles Wilson, in the triple jump. Freshman Charles Wilson stated, 鈥淚鈥檓 feeling great about this season already. The team as a whole has already set new school records, personal bests, and there鈥檚 going to be more to come.鈥�
However, as the team looks back, it did not always have as many numbers as it does now. When the program鈥檚 faithful leader, Laron Bennett, came in, he was welcomed with two sprinters. In his third season as a coach, Bennet now brings along over 35 athletes to track meets.聽
Accompanied by four other coaches, Bennett and his coaching staff work tirelessly to ensure that their athletes are well cared for. Putting on Belhaven鈥檚 first intrasquad track meet since the program鈥檚 establishment has been accomplished. There was even a single 2020 track meet where every member of the track team hit a new personal record. This is a feat that is rarely seen by track programs across the country.聽
With multiple events at the American Southwest Conference outdoor track and field championships, the Blazers are set to achieve various goals as they host the event on their home track. The next goal involves at least six athletes to qualify for and become All-Americans at 2021 Division III outdoor nationals.聽
To stay accountable to these goals, the team lives by four tenets: giving maximum effort, playing fair when others don鈥檛, finishing what one starts, and having fun.聽
Senior captain, Standish Dyson stated, 鈥淚 think the team has come a long way. The improvement shows as a testament to how hard each and everyone of us has worked to be the best we can be. To show the nation just how different we鈥檙e really built.鈥�
The team will now dial in for two weeks to compete again in Birmingham, Alabama, on February 13, 2021. After that indoor meet, the transition to the outdoor season will begin.
