by Kathryne Kendrick (Armagh, Pa./United) and Christin Bridge (Gibsonia, Pa./Pine-Richland)
 
Jan. 5
The track and field team came back from break a few days early to start preparing for our meet on Saturday. We began practice within our events groups followed by team dinner. After discussing the details of the upcoming meet, we all participated in team bonding activities. We were broken into two teams and were given a list of “favorites.” The goal of the game was to find people on the opposite team with favorites.  As throwers, we were able to bond more with some teammates that we do not see that often. The throwers are always cooped up in gym or in the back field, so we do not see that much of the team. After the “favorites” game, we went back on our two different sides and we had to make one big line. We went face to face with the person on the other team. We had a staring contest, rock paper scissors game, and then we had a thumb wrestling game. It was just a fun way to interact with another teammate of the track team. We rarely do that during the season. It was a fun and interesting night. We feel as teammates of our SFU track and field team that we were able to bond and get to know one another better.
 
Jan. 6
Today was a short practice for most of us because it is a day before the meet. As throwers, we do not throw so we can save our good throws for the meet. We only have a shake out, where we warm up and lift. The rest of the team had a short run through practice and we all were done for the day. At our team dinner Coach Thomson gave us our itinerary for the meet and each of our coaches gave us advice and encouragement for the upcoming season. All of the coaches are looking forward to tomorrow and the rest of the season. They reminded us that we do not have any weekends off until after conference in February. The coaches are also looking at who did their “homework” over break and who did not-meaning they are looking to see who practiced and did their workouts over break. We feel that our whole track team is very excited about tomorrow! This should be a great meet, especially because it is the Penn State meet. The track there has banked curves and it is a very fun track for the runners. The throwers love the circles at Penn State, because they are very smooth and fast. We are very excited to compete against a lot of Division 1 athletes. Robert Morris is going to be there, so we will get to see some conference competition. We are looking forward to seeing how everyone is going to do and to see how our team bonding activities pay off!  
 
Jan. 7
Meet day! Today we participated in the Penn State Relays. We were very happy with the outcomes of the meet. A lot of the track athletes had some personal records which are always great to see! The throwers all did great. Catya Gilbert (Loysburgh, Pa./Northern Bedford) had an awesome PR in the weight throw. Christin Bridge (Gibsonia, Pa./Pine-Richland) placed second in both shot put and weight throw, making an ECAC qualifying mark in the weight. Kate Kendrick placed 8^th in the weight throw. Our 4 X 800 team has great potential to become NEC conference champs! Keishana LaRose (Brooklyn, N.Y./Acorn Community) had a PR in the 200 meter. Alexis Hurd (Manchester, Md./North Carroll) finished in the top ten with Keishana. On the men's side, the 4 X 1 mile team picked up a second place finish. Terry Bookhamer placed fourth in the weight. The whole team competed with courage at this meet. With having a whole month off, we all seemed to do our best and it seemed like we all did our “homework” over break! We feel that our team is on their way to a great Indoor and Outdoor season for 2012!!
 
To finish our fun filled weekend, Tim Wertner gave the team this quote, “When the sun beats down and I lie on the bench, I can always hear them talk. Me, I'm just a lawnmower – you can tell me by the way I walk.”

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