NGU track members beat school records
Whitley Bras, Staff Writer
Graphics courtesy of Madi Estela
Last weekend on Saturday, March 24, North Greenville University track teams competed at Winthrop University in Rock Hill, S.C. Two members of the track team were able to beat school records in their events. These members included Tevin Richardson on the men’s team and Millie Klefsaas on the women’s team.
Millie Klefsaas set a pair of school records in the 100-meter hurdles and in the pole vault. In her 100-meter hurdle race she finished at 15.03 seconds and in her pole vault was able to get up to 3.55-meters in that event. Both were also personal bests as well as school records for the freshman. NGU athletics states that “her pole vault height placed her fourth overall among athletes from Division-I schools”, which is a huge accomplishment for Klefsaas. When talking about the achievement she says, “I have been very fortunate to have such a successful outdoor season thus far, and it has been especially rewarding to see all the hours of hard work pay off with good performances on the track.” Klefsaas also gives credit to her coach and the motivation that has helped her pursue her goals. When talking about her coach Klefsaas says, “Coach Kait has been very helpful and motivating and has been making me a lot stronger. As far as for pole vault, Coach Isakson has us work a lot on technique and speed work.” Klefsaas also talks about her goals for her future on the track team at NGU and says, “My biggest goal is for NGU to win the team outdoor conference championship. We have a lot of really talented kids on the team with a lot of potential, and I think we could really do some damage at the conference meet. My personal goal is to qualify for the NCAA national meet.”
Tevin Richardson competes in the 200, 400, 4×1 and 4×4, but was responsible for setting the record in the 200, a third school record for the Crusaders that weekend. Richardson finished his race with a time of 21.23, earning a first-place finish over a pair of Division-I runners. When asked how it feels to set a school record Richardson says, “It feels pretty good, but then again I can do better.” Richardson is pushing himself this season and hopes that he and his team can make it to nationals again. Since he is only a sophomore, Richardson hopes to also be able to win a national championship as a team during his track career at North Greenville. When talking about the training that he had to do in order to be successful in the 200-meter event Richardson states, “A lot of speed work and prayer with my teammates, JJ Sherman, Harold Hilton, Brett Evans, Nigel Gay, Jordan Walters and Eli Buckley. We have the best sprint coach there is, coach David Pickett.”
Both the men’s and women’s track teams have been training before Christmas and participated in an indoor season. The teams train by doing speed work and working out in the weight room. The spring season for the track teams is still underway and they will be having meets throughout April and May. Make sure to go out and support the track teams and see if you could witness another NGU athlete set a school record.
