Pioneers break records at indoor track and field championships

After months of preparation, members of the track and field teams achieved record-breaking performances, cementing their names in Pioneer history. At the Midwest Conference (MWC) indoor track and field championship on Feb. 24 and 25, Grinnell College athletes broke two school records, with others achieving second- or third-best times in program history.

“This is definitely one of the strongest team performances we’ve had on the whole for both men and women,” said Sarah Burnell `14, assistant track and field coach.

Ian Clawson `26 scored a record performance in the weight throw event, throwing a toss of  54-5 1/2.  His throw earned him third in the event.

A newcomer to indoor track and field, Eva Carchidi `24 broke the school record for the 60m dash with a time of 8.04 seconds. She would later place second in the event finals with a time of 8.07 seconds.

Lucas Fadden `26 earned the title of MWC Newcomer of the Year after placing second in the 60m dash and third in the 400m.

Additionally, Brian Goodell `24 won the 5000m run, earning his second career MWC title. His time of 15:08.75 was the fastest time for the Pioneers since 2006.

Sonia Edassery `23 came in second in the women’s 400m finals, and a team consisting of Edassery, Ava Taylor `25, Maile Crowe `25 and Athena Frasca `23 placed second in the 4x200m relay with a time of 1:48.56, the second best in program history. 

Keely Miyamoto `26 won the 3000m race with a time of 10:18.91, the third-best time in the College’s history. Miyamoto attributed their performance to their preparation and warmup with their teammates immediately before the race.

According to Miyamoto, they prepared for the race with two of their teammates by practicing laps while listening to music. Miyamoto said that it was this connection that helped push them to perform as they did.

“I knew it was going to be fun to run with them,” said Miyamoto about their teammates.

Grinnell’s men’s track team placed third in the conference, while the women’s team placed fourth. Last year, the teams placed fourth and fifth respectively — Burnell said that this year’s team was particularly strong in long-distance events compared to prior seasons.

In addition to the athletes’ record-breaking performances, Burnell also said that one of the highlights of this season thus far was the community building.

Burnell said that the success of the team at the championship went beyond the numbers and outcomes. Rather, she attributed the success to what she called “the athletes’ desire to be a part of something bigger than individual performance.”

“That is something that’s much less tangible but much more meaningful,” said Burnell.

Regarding the team atmosphere, Carchidi said, “It’s an environment that encourages hard work but without too much pressure.”

Edassery said that one of the best moments of the tournament was being able to stand on the podium with her relay team. 

“[It’s] one of the best feelings ever,” she said, “because you’re all putting in the work together.”

Following the conclusion of the Midwest Conference championships, the track team is now moving forward to preparing for their outdoor season, which concludes with the outdoor track and field Midwest Conference championships from May 12-23.

Burnell said that this past conference is an opportunity for the team to assess itself and improve upon weaker areas. To Burnell, the team’s performance at the conference is a good sign that the team is moving in the right direction.

“I think we have a really good foundation,” said Burnell. “That tells us we’re doing things in the right way. And now, it’s just a matter of continuing to do that and pressing the limits a little to see how much we have left in the tank.”