The Point Loma Nazarene Track and Field team hosted its third home meet in a row over last weekend, with the women taking top honors with 406.5 points. The men posted third, with 295.
In Southern California, student-athletes have many choices, from national champion state schools like UCLA to private powerhouses like USC. But for many, the best choice is a more intimate setting with a focus on academics and personal development.
“The athletics aren’t pulling them here; it’s the academic, the beautiful campus and the spiritual aspects that get them here,” said head coach Jerry Arvin, adding that many athletes find a good fit at Point Loma. “It’s hard to get in here academically, but the facilities are great, the track overlooks the ocean, and a lot of people are happier in a smaller environment like this.”
The current squad is a young one, with only 12 seniors on the team. That leaves a lot of room for underclassmen to step up and take the lead in all events. The older athletes want to train up the younger generation, and the coaches say they like to help facilitate the mentoring process, as it can be more powerful coming from those with four years’ experience in the events.
“There’s just a couple of us [seniors] to lead by example,” senior long sprinter Brian Perrin said. “That motivates me more “¦ . We have a lot of young guys this year with a lot of potential “” we should be dominating pretty well in a few years.”
A big part of the reason the team qualified 26 athletes for nationals last season were the nine All-American athletes. All-American membership requires a 3.5 GPA as well as setting a qualifying mark in the student’s event during the season. So far this season, there have been 10 national qualifying marks set by PLNU athletes, including All-American jumper senior Heike Siener.
“I just came to study abroad for a semester and decided to stay because everyone was really friendly. And of course the weather is great, plus my coach really needed a high jumper/long jumper/triple jumper,” Siener said. “I got hurt last year and feel like I lost everything I worked for, but I’m trying to work harder this year and be even better.”
The coaching staff realizes that injuries can be tough “” both physically and mentally “” on an athlete, but it tries to stress that the kids have fun and enjoy their events first and foremost. Building character and improving strengths is key, according to the coaches.
“We’re interested in kids who want to be here. Our only requests are that they want to be at Point Loma and they love track and field,” said Arvin. “I want them to have a good time and reach the level they are capable of; if that means nationals, great. If it means breaking their high school records, then that’s what we strive for.”
The strength and conditioning programs have different phases, with the first component focusing on building slow-twitch muscle strength through heavier weights and more repetitions. Conversely, athletes work on fast-twitch muscle strength with lower weights and more explosive movements as well as different exercises designed for outright speed.
According to the athletes and coaches, it is the combination of these components that allows an athlete to reach his or her full potential.
“It’s very exciting that we are in our strength phase right now. I can’t wait to see where we are when we peak in the coming weeks with speed training,” senior sprinter/jumper Kate Alderson said. “The coaches are amazing “” I have nothing but complete faith in them.”
The team will travel north to La Jolla to compete in the UCSD open meet on Saturday, April 7. The Golden State Athletic Conference (GSAC) championships will be held in Fresno April 27 to 28, with the national championship meet at the same location May 24 to 26.
For more information, visit www.ptloma.edu/Athletics.