Senior Jaclyn Sill competes in the 400 meter dash at the Euler State Farm/ESU Relays April 6 at the Zola Witten Track. Sill finished second with a time of 59:12. Kellen Jenkins/The Bulletin

The Emporia State men’s and women’s track teams are preparing for the MIAA Championships this weekend.

Because this is the last conference competition of the season, the seniors aspire to finish their careers on a good note.

“I want to PR (personal record) and put myself out there because I am predicted to score but I am looking to move up and score higher,” said senior distance runner Marcus Summers.

Although senior Jaclyn Sill has taken first in the 400 meter the past two years, she said winning this year won’t be as easy for her.

“This year is going to be more competitive than last year because Nebraska Omaha has two very talented girls,” she said.

Senior javelin thrower Connie Philips also said competition will be tough.

“I have been competing against the same top two women these past couple of years so I know what to expect from them and they know what to expect from me so it should be a good competition,” Philips said.

As leaders of the women’s team, both fifth year seniors said they feel the team members’ ability to work together will help them to succeed.

“We have to set the example for everybody else,” Philips said. “I think they are looking to us to get a little motivation behind everybody.”

On the men’s side, strength in various events will help the team to succeed.

“We have a lot of good sprinters and jumpers to help carry our team but then we also have some younger throwers who can do well and hopefully score some points,” said senior thrower Dustin Loyd.

After success in the indoor season, the men’s team hopes to contend for the championship.

“We are right in the hunt for a championship,” Summers said. “We were close in indoor but there are guys like myself who didn’t run indoor who will add to the points.”

According to Head Coach David Harris, the team has been changing up their training to get ready for competition.

“Our volume of training has gone way down because we are tapering right now,” Harris said. “We are doing high intensity that is close to race and competition pace.”

Harris said he feels the team is prepared for the championships.

“I think the team is ready to go,” he added. “I feel good about our preparation and now it is time to compete for a championship.”

The Hornets’ first day of competition will start this Saturday and will go through Sunday in Joplin, Mo.

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