Emanuel gives update on track teams

Adam Tumino, Editor-in-Chief

Like every other team on campus, the Eastern men’s and women’s track teams have had to adjust to the changes that COVID-19 has brought to campus.

After having their outdoor season canceled in the spring, both teams enter the fall looking ahead to the start of the indoor season starting in the winter.

Brenton Emanuel, Eastern Director of Track and Field, said that he has been pleased with what he has seen so far this semester.

‘It’s a much different fall that in the past,” he said. “The teams are very motivated. A lot of them worked out hard over summer and spring break during quarantine, so from a fitness standpoint I’m very happy with where we’re at right now, it being week two of training.”

A major adjustment for the teams has been getting used to running while wearing a mask, but Emanuel said he thinks they are handling it well.

“I think everyone’s kind of adjusted to wearing the mask while running,” he said. “Workouts are already tough enough and then you put a mask on, its been pretty rough for them, but they’ve been doing a great job.”

Another thing Emanuel said the team is doing this semester is remaining positive, and they do so by sharing something that they appreciate.

“Every day we start practice off  with what’s one thing that you’re grateful for, and we go around the group and talk abou that, because last year was kind of a heartbreaker for us, losing our season in the middle of it,” he said. “I’m very excited for that and I’m very grateful for them for having positive energy throughout this whole  situation.”

Emanuel also said that this semester has presented some new challenges for him in addition to the ones the teams are facing. Some of these challenges are caused by having large rosters this year.

“I have four (practices) a day Mondays and Thursdays, trying to break up groups to just make sure  we’re staying staying socially distant and not coming in too much contact with each other,” he said. “It’s a lot on me, but at the same time I’ll do it for them. We’re a very talented team and I think having that one-on-one time helps us anyway. But it is a little bit difficult during the day. I feel like I’m not in the office very much, so my office work and my emails are kind of piled up on me right now. But we’re getting through it and I think it’s going well so far.”

 

Adam Tumino can be reached at 581-2812 or [email protected].