Track & field attended the Bob Hayes Challenge in Lake Charles, where they competed against McNeese State University.  

“Much like Tulane, the Bob Hayes invite is an opportunity for us to prepare for bigger meets coming in the season,” said Head Coach Sean Brady. “We try and compete every person on the roster to find out who will be ready moving into a more competitive portion of our season.”

The invitational is a diverse event that took place on Mar. 11.

“Many of the state universities compete at this event as well as several of our conference members we will see at the outdoor championships in May in addition to the other teams,” said Brady.

The participants battled with nature as well as their opposing teams. 

“The weather was a challenge as well,’’ said Brady. “It rained almost the entire meet.”

The players rose above rainy weather and timing of the meet to personally succeed. 

“You would expect at an early season meet remarks would be low and times will be slow,” said Brady. “However about a dozen athletes set a personal best.”

The track & field athletes put forth effort in their training to compete during both the outdoor and indoor seasons. 

“Andre Colebrook dedicated himself in the fall season to becoming an elite track athlete,” said Brady. “His focus heightened and he really started committing himself every day to becoming the best athlete he could. Consequently, he had an amazing indoor season.”

Colebrook is a middle distance and hurdle athlete. In his previous indoor season, he broke his own school record in the 800 meter run.

“He’s become a real team leader and one of our most dependable athletes,” said Brady. “This indoor season laid the foundation for what is to be an amazing outdoor season for him. He has done everything you expect from a fifth-year senior.”

The Bob Hayes Challenge was the second outdoor meet of the season. Brady anticipates and encourages the athletes involved to understand that they may be hindered in pursuing their goals, and to still rise above these obstacles.

“Every athlete faces individual challenges, adversity, injury, loss, success, physiological and psychological ups and downs throughout the year,” said Brady. “We hope that their coaches and staff members help them to grow emotionally and become physically the best they can be.”

Brady also described goals that the track & field team aspires to obtain. 

“Some team challenges will be moving up the national power raking list, performing well at the Southland Conference Championships and advancing to the regional and NCAA National Championships,” said Brady. “Our immediate goals are to be better each week and focus on the process and move closer towards winning championships.”

While admitting that each member is individually talented, Brady looks forward to them working in a cohesive group to attain their goals.

“We expect our men’s team have a real shot at being the outdoor conference champions as well as a national level team that can finish in the top 25 in the country,” said Brady. “These teams may be the most talented on paper that we’ve ever had. However, we will see if they can come together as a group and become something special.”

Brady is confident that the staff and the athletes will pursue their prospective future with eagerness and dedication. 

“I’m very lucky to have such a great staff and believe they will have our men and women at their best when it counts in May,” said Brady. “The athlete’s role is to take advantage of every opportunity in front of them and to capitalize when they are placed in situations and expected to perform.”