After a great season in crosscountry, the NSU women’s track team is sprinting toward success. Bryan Hagopian, head coach for NSU’s men’s and women’s outdoor track and cross-country team, said the season, which started on Feb. 18, is off to a fine start.
Kamila Soja, sophomore biology major, trains at morning practice. PHOTO BY INDAYA BYER.
“Right now, we [the track team] are looking better than previous years. We are coming closer as a team and since we had a great cross-country season, it kind of rolls into the next season,” said Hagopian.
In 2022, Kamila Soja, sophomore biology and pre-med major, finished second at the NCAA Division II South Region Championship and broke the school’s record in the 6k. On March 3, Soja led the team to victory after winning first place in the 5000m in the Tampa Spartans Classic.
Soja has always been very interested in sports and comes from an athletic background. She has participated in a variety of different sports like dance, swimming, soccer and pole vaulting. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit during her senior year in high school, she used the opportunity to do winter track and swimming. Since there is no pole vaulting in winter track, she tried distance running.
“I loved that so much, and it carried out into my outdoor season, then into summer. And then, eventually, I came here as a walk-on,” said Soja.
Megan Winterbottom, warming up during a meet. COURTESY OF SHARK ATHLETICS.
Soja is looking forward to competing in longer distances like the 5k and the 10k. After her successful cross-country season, Soja said she feels the pressure of having to beat her records this season, but she’s sticking to her routine and continues to progress.
Ally Jakubiak, freshman human nutrition major, said that having the experience in cross-country guides NSU’s women’s track team.
“I definitely think that helps to get all that training under my belt,” said Jakubiak.
After doing track throughout high school, Jakubiak completed her first season in cross-country in 2022 and finished in the top 50 at the NCAA Division II South Region Championship. She plans to participate in other distance events with the track team and see how much she’s improved after her cross-country season.
Hagopian said that the women’s track team is composed of driven and passionate runners who love the sport.
“When you look at cross-country and how successful we are, and then you turn around and look, there’s only one of me. And you see about 50 people running around, but you notice that everybody knows what they’re doing and they’re working hard. They’re trying to be successful. And those are qualities you can’t coach. That’s something that’s in your heart,” said Hagopian.
The women’s track team will meet Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University, Lee University on April 7, and the University of Miami on April 7-8. Afterward, the team hopes to compete in the NCAA National Championship on May 25-27.
Be the first to comment on "Women’s track team sprints to success in 2023"