As of now, the women’s track team will see one of their own compete in the Regionals track meet May 30.
The performer is junior speed-distance runner Caroline Hulden who qualified in the 800-meter run by running a time of 2:10.29 and placing second in Hattiesburg, two weeks ago.
Hulden cut it very close, qualifying by only one hundredth of a second.
“I am very excited about finally qualifying for regionals. It is what I have been aiming for all season and I am happy to get it done. I guess it was just the right time for me to do it,” Hulden said.
Head track coach Matt Pantusa was not surprised at all about Hulden’s accomplishment. He knew it was just a matter of time and performance that Hulden would qualify.
“Caroline was very focused on the task at hand that day,” Pantusa said. “She went into the meet realizing that this could possibly be the one that she qualifies in. She made it a reality.”
With Hulden qualifying, the proverbial ‘monkey’ on her back has been lifted. At the same time, she refuses to slack on her approach for the other meets.
“There is a certain amount of relief that I now feel. Knowing that I have a spot in regionals allows me to work on my techniques in the meets leading to it. It was nerve-racking because when coach Pantusa told me of my time, I was excited but I wanted to make sure. Once I heard it from the announcer, I could relax,” Hulden said.
Pantusa said the winner of the race really helped Hulden in completing the time. The fast-pace that was set had Hulden right on cue.
“Strong competition always brings out the best in Caroline. I know she will always put forth her best effort; but when there is someone there to push her, good times are usually ran,” Pantusa said.
Sophomore Cassie Jones placed second in the 5,000 meter run.
“Jones is a minute or so off of the time she needs to qualify for regionals in the 5k,” Pantusa said. “The time is in the 17 minute range and is very much possible because she has been training very hard.”
The 4×400-meter relay team which consisted of Hulden, sophomore Kendrick Kemp, sophomore Shannon Cox, and senior Trina Peters turned in a performance that landed them fourth on the all-time Nicholls list.
The women’s field events are rapidly being revived. Cox, Kemp, and sophomore Jenny Willie are part of a crew who is responsible for that.
“We have not had women’s field events in a while. More and more women are trying out for the events and that is very encouraging,” Pantusa said.
The women’s team also had a meet this past weekend in Monroe, Louisiana.
Hulden competed in the 800-meter race and finished in first place with a time of 2:12.75.
Jones finished first in the 5,000 meter run.
“I was happy to win the race and I am looking to improve toward better times,” Jones said.
With all the fatigue that the team had to fight from traveling to Monroe, Pantusa was proud of their overall response.
“That was a pretty long trip. We left campus at 4:30 a.m. and drove for maybe five hours. Most of the runners were a couple of seconds slower in their races but that was pretty understandable considering the circumstances,” Pantusa said.
Pantusa was pleased with the performances of his women fielders.
“Jenny Willie broke her own record in the Pole Vault,” Pantusa said. “She is now at eight feet. Anytime our athletes are setting and breaking their own records, there is always increased excitement about what we are doing.”