Emily Leighton | Staff Writer
Senior Seth Woodson is already halfway through his last year of track as a Beaver. Woodson is from Dysart, Iowa and studies Exercise Science with a Coaching minor at Buena Vista University (BVU). Woodson’s highlights include: two-time Most Valuable Player, 10-time All Conference, and has been a National qualifier.
The indoor track season is currently taking place, and once that season ends, the outdoor season will begin.
“I feel that this track season is going well for both the team and myself. We are a very young team on the men and women’s side both, and we are still trying to see where everyone fits in,” Woodson said.
Although the numbers aren’t quite high enough to compete for a conference championship, Woodson still believes they will be able to go out and make a name for the program.
“We have already had so many personal records and a couple school records go down so we are hoping to continue this roll into conference next weekend,” Woodson said.
For every senior, there are going to be mixed feelings about it being their last year on the team they have spent three years growing with.
“It seems like it was yesterday when I was a freshman coming in and being a part of a small, but very talented, team. I came in with high hopes, and we as a team exceeded my hopes, and I made some very good friends over the years,” Woodson said.
During Woodson’s last meet at BVU, he proceeded to break the school record for the 1000-meter run by three seconds with a time of 2:29:70. Woodson hopes to leave the program in good condition for years to come.
“This year is about making a statement for the team and myself because we are very small size-wise, but we have a lot of underclassmen that have the heart to compete, and that is what this program needs,” Woodson said.
Head Coach Ryan Schroeder has a few things to say about Woodson’s last year on this track team.
“Seth will be a tremendous loss. It will be very hard to replace a guy like Seth who could very well win each event from the 200 through the mile at the conference meet. We know that we can’t replace him with one guy so there will have to be multiple people who have to step up next year,” Schroeder said.
Even though this is Woodson’s last year, his biggest focus is still on the team’s success over his own. He would like to be able to defend the 4×200 and 4×400 meter relay titles this upcoming weekend.
“I have many personal goals for myself, but none of them matter as much as the goals I want for the team,” Woodson said.
Woodson does, however, still hold individual goals. He would like to regain the conference title in the 800 meter run one last time along with getting to the national indoor meet for the first time and return to outdoor nationals.
“I want to leave myself with no regrets and no looking back and wishing I could do it over one last time. This year is about going out with a bang and showing the younger guys and gals that anything can happen if you work hard and do what the coaches ask,” Woodson said.
The Beavers will finish up their indoor season this coming weekend, Feb. 27-28 at the IIAC Indoor Championships held at Wartburg College beginning at 10 a.m.
Graphic by Justice Gage
