JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn.—Carson-Newman track and field coach David Needs released his team's 2015-2016 indoor track schedule earlier this week, a slate which features a multitude of Division I competition at three different venues.
"One of the things that we look for are not just places where we can go run, but we look at the right track and the right competition," Needs said. "All of those meets that we are looking at, especially earlier on, are quote unquote Division I meets. You want to qualify for nationals, and so you want to get into good competition."
The Eagles will kick off their season the weekend of Dec. 4th, as the team travels to Appalachian State for the first of two weekends in Boone, N.C. to begin the indoor track season.
Carson-Newman will then take a month off for the Holiday season before returning to action at East Tennessee State for two weekends in a row, starting Jan. 8th. The Eagles take the following weekend off before returning back up to Johnson City the weekend of Feb. 6th.
On Feb. 13th, Carson-Newman will travel to Tiffin, Ohio for one meet on the schedule that exposes some of the best Division II talent the Eagles will see all season.
Carson-Newman will then conclude the 2015-2016 indoor track season on Feb. 19th, trekking back over to North Carolina for another meet taking place at Appalachian State.
Needs believes offseason training has opened the door for many returners to build upon the strong foundation they set for themselves last season.
"We are excited about the guys who are coming back because they have really put in some great work this fall," Needs said. "The running program and the weight training program, they all merge and fit with the same mindset that we are going to work to where we need to get to. It has really allowed some of them to shine and change their bodies in a positive way."
Carson-Newman has also welcomed a number of new faces on the team for the start of the season and plan to utilize the newcomers in various ways throughout the year.
"We have signed a lot of people who can jump far and run fast," Needs said. "Kevin Sneed is one that we have signed that can run in that 10.4/10.5 range. Marshall Shank is a great pole-vaulter. We just have a lot of great people coming in and a lot of females that we are excited about."
Carson-Newman's indoor track sector comes before the outdoor season and offers a different variety of events for athletes on the team.
"Some of the races are different. The sprinters tend to be better if you are a good short sprinter or short-stride guy," Needs said. "There is not a whole lot of long-distance racing, so it's really all about how you handle the curves on the track. We got people that are making the right steps and we are doing a lot of great things to be ready for the season. "
For complete coverage of Carson-Newman track and field throughout the year, follow us on Twitter at @CNathletics and online at cneagles.com.
Carson-Newman Indoor Track Schedule Location
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December 4th |
Appalachian State University |
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December 5th |
Appalachian State University |
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January 8th |
East Tennessee State University |
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January 9th |
East Tennessee State University |
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January 15th |
East Tennessee State University |
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January 16th |
East Tennessee State University |
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February 5th |
East Tennessee State University |
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February 6th |
East Tennessee State University |
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February 13th |
Tiffin University |
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February 19th |
Appalachian State Uniersity |
-CN-