Holly Frerk | Staff Writer

The Buena Vista University (BVU) men’s and women’s track and field team competed in the Darren Young Invite hosted by Grinnell College in Grinnell, Iowa on Saturday, Feb. 15. The women’s track and field team finished 9th in their division. The men finished 5th in their division.

Senior Captain Katie Larsen was part of the women’s 4×200 meter relay that finished in second place. Along with participating in the 4×200 on Saturday, Larsen also competed in the 60 meter dash and 200 meter dash.

“Saturday was a meet in which I think our whole team showed camaraderie and spirit. We fought hard against great competition,” Larsen said.

Senior Garrett Woodson has been a competitor in the open 200 meter sprint, 4×200 meter relay, open 400 meter sprint, 4×400 meter relay, 600 meter sprint, open 800 meter spring, and the 4×800 meter relay. At the Darren Young invite Woodson competed in the men’s winning 4×200 meter relay.

“The men’s track and field team is ranked in the top 25 in the nation for the 4×400 meter relay and is seconds away from reaching the top 15, which go to nationals,” Woodson said.

Head Track and Field Coach Jeff Brennan stated that BVU’s top competition for the women is Wartburg and the men’s biggest competitors are Dubuque, Central, and Wartburg as they are the three top performers.

“Our big goals are ahead of us. We are two weeks out from the indoor conference meet. We would like to get back to the 5th place spot with the men and women like we did last year and compete to make it to the 4th place position. It would be a great accomplishment for us,” Brennan said.

The BVU women’s and men’s track and field team will compete in the NJCAA Regional Meet and the BVU Open on Friday, Feb. 21 and Saturday, Feb. 22, 2014.

Graphic by Justice Gage