In addition to being an assistant coach, Drew has many other responsibilities for the track and field programs including being the director of operations and assisting with horizontal jumps. She has seen firsthand how the Eagles have adapted to their new normal.
“The group has done amazing at adapting, they have grown more patient and flexible with changes and the unknown," said Drew. "I have seen some people use quarantine life to help them grow personally. I want all the athletes to go out and compete to their best ability, connect, and have fun with one another. It's been a long bumpy road, but they have put in the work and now it's time to show out!”
Both the men’s and women’s track and field teams are eager to start competing after having incredible finishes in their last full season. In 2019, the CUI men's track and field team earned third place at the PacWest Conference Championships, which was their highest finish since moving up to the NCAA DII level. The CUI women's squad also performed well, finishing in the top four.
This year the track and field programs added 34 new student-athletes that are from ten different states along with one international athlete. There were 20 newcomers added to the women's squad and 14 to the men’s. This year is especially exciting because it is the track and field program's most diverse class featuring student-athletes from Arizona, California, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Colorado, Hawaii, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Nevada, and New Zealand.
A couple standouts to look out for this season on the women’s team are Paige Johnson and Madison Hergert. Johnson, a junior transfer from Concordia Portland, qualified for the NCAA National Indoor Championships in both the 60m hurdles and the 60m race last season. Hergert, a senior returner, set a school-record the previous season for the 400m dash with a time of 57.53 seconds at the Big Meet hosted by Grand Valley State.
Switching to the men’s side, Chais Hamilton also showed out at the Big Meet and landed a career-best mark in the weight throw for 17.76m. The senior ultimately was recognized as an USTFCCCA All-Region selection and qualified for nationals in the weight throw in 2020. Hamilton also won the hammer throw at the PacWest Conference Championships in 2019.
That trio is primed for a big spring, but there are many opportunities for returners and newcomers to shine in the spotlight this weekend for the Green and Gold.
The sky’s the limit for these Eagles, make sure to keep your eyes peeled for what they do next.
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