Friday, February 26
Birmingham, Ala. (CROSSPLEX)
ALL DAY
Samford University
vs
Southern Conference Championships
SoCon Indoor Track & Field Championship Preview
2.25.16 | Track and Field
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Samford University track and field program is set to embark on a mission that has never been achieved in the program's indoor history, winning a SoCon Indoor Track & Field Championship. The quest for that goal begins tomorrow at 10 a.m. out at the Birmingham CrossPlex when competition opens up with heptathlon and pentathlon.
The Bulldogs have been impressing and improving meet after meet in the weeks leading up to this season's indoor championships but there are always obstacles to overcome after enduring such a grueling schedule.
"Each week we seem to get better and better which I really enjoy. The fact that they are taking on challenges and are progressing from week to week is what I really enjoy about this team." Head Coach Rod Tiffin said. "We had a couple of setbacks with injuries this past week which is always the case so we have a big challenge ahead of us but I'm excited for the opportunity."
Standing in Samford's way is Western Carolina. The Catamounts have won the SoCon Indoor Track & Field Championships three out of the last four seasons on both the men's and women's sides thanks to a formula that has proven to be successful according to Tiffin.
"In year's past they have been such a dominant sprint program on both sides – men and women – and I think we are catching up to them, slowly but surely." Tiffin said. "That's been the goal for us, to continue to add young sprint people and people to challenge Western in what they are scoring their points in."
On the men's side Samford has finished in the top three of the standings nearly every season since joining the Southern Conference while the women nearly fourth or higher. Last season the Bulldogs finished second overall on both sides and the men actually held a 10 point lead going into the second day of competition over Western.
"Thank goodness we continue to get our points in the field events and distance races but this year we are going to have a quality sprint group that can go in there and score points for us." Tiffin mentioned. "That's the biggest thing we have tried to differently this year so I'm anxious to see how it all works out."
Tiffin believes that the teams need to stay resolved and focused to have success at the championships this weekend and the first step is to make sure the Bulldogs qualify for the finals the following day.
"I think the biggest thing we have to keep our eyes on is the prize, the prize is of course to win a championship. It's a two-step process and if we don't handle our business on day one to qualify through to the finals for day two then we can't score points." Tiffin continued. "We need to go into the weekend only worry about what we can control and not worry about the overall goal of winning a conference championship because that can be overwhelming."
Fans can follow along with the Bulldogs this weekend on Twitter by following @SamfordTrack.
The Bulldogs have been impressing and improving meet after meet in the weeks leading up to this season's indoor championships but there are always obstacles to overcome after enduring such a grueling schedule.
"Each week we seem to get better and better which I really enjoy. The fact that they are taking on challenges and are progressing from week to week is what I really enjoy about this team." Head Coach Rod Tiffin said. "We had a couple of setbacks with injuries this past week which is always the case so we have a big challenge ahead of us but I'm excited for the opportunity."
Standing in Samford's way is Western Carolina. The Catamounts have won the SoCon Indoor Track & Field Championships three out of the last four seasons on both the men's and women's sides thanks to a formula that has proven to be successful according to Tiffin.
"In year's past they have been such a dominant sprint program on both sides – men and women – and I think we are catching up to them, slowly but surely." Tiffin said. "That's been the goal for us, to continue to add young sprint people and people to challenge Western in what they are scoring their points in."
On the men's side Samford has finished in the top three of the standings nearly every season since joining the Southern Conference while the women nearly fourth or higher. Last season the Bulldogs finished second overall on both sides and the men actually held a 10 point lead going into the second day of competition over Western.
"Thank goodness we continue to get our points in the field events and distance races but this year we are going to have a quality sprint group that can go in there and score points for us." Tiffin mentioned. "That's the biggest thing we have tried to differently this year so I'm anxious to see how it all works out."
Tiffin believes that the teams need to stay resolved and focused to have success at the championships this weekend and the first step is to make sure the Bulldogs qualify for the finals the following day.
"I think the biggest thing we have to keep our eyes on is the prize, the prize is of course to win a championship. It's a two-step process and if we don't handle our business on day one to qualify through to the finals for day two then we can't score points." Tiffin continued. "We need to go into the weekend only worry about what we can control and not worry about the overall goal of winning a conference championship because that can be overwhelming."
Fans can follow along with the Bulldogs this weekend on Twitter by following @SamfordTrack.
Tuesday, May 03
Tuesday, May 03
Tuesday, May 03
Tuesday, May 03
