St. Thomas’ cross-country team is headed to Montreal Jan. 29-30 for the annual McGill Team Challenge.
The regular indoor track meet will see a variety of events in the heptathlon and pentathlon categories, such as different-length runs and hurdles, pole vaults, relays and high jumps. Because it is an indoor meet, throw events will be restricted to weight throw and shot put.
But with pressure coming down on the team, each athlete from the men and woman’s team is finding their own way to cope with the stress and are looking to beat their personal bests.
Head coach Alex Coffin said STU’s athletes have been training to hit specific targets at the McGill meet.
“With faster and stronger competition, it is easier for them to push to the next level,” Coffin said.
Coffin said each athlete brings a different mix of ambition and physical foundation to the table.
“No matter their personal goals, coach Mary Astle and I are there to ensure this is a positive experience that they remember for the rest of their lives,” said Coffin.
STU has only been competing as a team at the McGill Team Challenge the past two years. In both years, several athletes, such as Paul Nozicka and former STU athlete Johanna Reid, broke STU records. Coffin said this year will be the first year STU has an athlete competing at the meet while being ranked in the top 10 nationally.
The women Tommies are also preparing intensely for next weekend’s meet at McGill.
Sarah Hickman, who broke three STU records over the holidays, said she and her team have increased workouts by “quality over quantity.”
“For example, (last week) I did 4×60-metres and 3×200-metres faster than my 300-metre race pace,” she said. “With McGill being so close I have also reduced my reps during weight sessions doing smaller reps with max height, along with short-tempo runs and good stretching and core to finish.”
Supplements are not something Hickman chooses to incorporate into her regiment, and said pre and post-workout drinks and shakes are not her kind of thing.
Overall, Hickman said that her diet-motto is healthy-eating is key.
“However, a treat once in a while isn’t a bad thing,” she said.
Her goal for the McGill Team Challenge is to be prepared for both individual races and team relay events.
“I believe that an experience like this is amazing,” Hickman said. “The atmosphere of the meet will be very exciting and will have an effect, hopefully, in a positive way.”
Hickman hopes to beat her personal best in both the 60-metre and 300-metre races. In turn, this would break the STU records she currently holds.
“I would also love to see the entire team break records and set new (personal bests),” she said. “Our 4×200-metre girl’s relay is hopefully in line to pummel the old STU record.”
In preparing for an event such as this, Nozicka said it all comes down to quality practices and workouts.
“That said, getting the most out of each and every time we hit the track or the gym entails small things along the way,” he said.
Nozicka credits this success in training to eating right, getting lots of sleep, and committing to overall health.
“(That) can be a challenge during the winter,” Nozicka said. “We’ve been working extremely hard, and it is starting to pay off.”
At last year’s McGill Team Challenge, Nozicka shattered three STU records, finishing the 1,000 meter in 2:39.30, the 1,500 metres in 4:16.52, and the 60 metre hurdles in 12.41.
Nozicka said track and field is an individualistic sport. He stressed that the team’s mentality is amazing, but when it comes down to it, what happens next is up to each independent athlete.
“All of the pressure lies on each person individually,” Nozicka said. “And (it) can grow quite strong in an atmosphere such as the McGill Team Challenge. The level of performance at this meet is overwhelming, but also extremely inspiring.”
Nozicka ranked mental preparedness and toughness as being equally as crucial as being on top of the game physically.
He said the McGill Team Challenge has always been special. For Nozicka, competing alongside elite athletes in a large city such as Montreal creates, “an atmosphere like no other.”
He said the opportunity to be able to participate in this event is a privilege for the team, and he expressed his gratitude for all supporters who are helping make the trip possible.
“While performance and personal bests of one sort or another are always the primary goals going into any competition, this trip also means much more than that,” Nozicka said. “Being on the road with the team for a whole weekend, in the pursuit of being the best athletes we can be is a tremendous experience.”
