This past Saturday, at Princeton University, the women's outdoor track team proved that the high level of performance it set in the indoor season won't be dropped in the outdoor season, whatever elements they might face.
And they certainly did have elements to take on at Princeton's annual Sam Howell Invitational: the Bears not only raced in brisk, blustery winds, but against a field of the best Division III and Division I competitors.
The competition and the weather were no obstacle for senior Ali Chase, whose trademark kick in the final 100-meter stretch of the 800-meter run launched her past seven competitors give her a first place finish in a time of 2:14.44. Chase's All-American finish in the 800-meter run at the NCAA Indoor Track & Field Championships on March 14 positions for her for another stellar season.
"Ali made a beautiful transition from indoor track to outdoor track," said Coach Peter Slovenski. "The longer straights will give her more room and time for her kick. She's had a strong kick all year, and kicking is better suited to outdoor track."
Bowdoin's entire lineup in the 800-meter run looks promising this season, with five of the seven runners finishing under 2:25, and Alex Peacock-Villada '11 finishing first in her heat of the race.
The team's throwers also started the season off on a high note, with Kelsey Borner '09 taking third in the discus and sixth in the hammer throw, and Shemeica Binns '09 taking fourth in the shot put.
"Our throwers were especially impressive in the competition," Slovenski said. "Kelsey and Shemeica competed at a very high level and placed very well."
The day's other highlights included a ninth place finish by Anna Ackerman '12 in the 3,000-meter run, a 10th place finish by the 4 x 400-meter relay team, and a 15th place finish by Elsa Millet '12 in the 200-meter dash. Millet's time of 25.96 is the second-fastest 200-meter dash time in Bowdoin history, missing the school record by a fifth of a second.
The meet bodes well for the remainder of the outdoor season, which the Polar Bears hope to highlight with a first place at the annual Aloha Relays on April 17 and 18, and a finish in the top three teams at the NESCAC Championship and the New England Division III Regional Championship.
After a long indoor season, the team will need to focus on maintaining the health and momentum it had through the winter.
"Since the season is so short, we really have to focus and come together right from the start," said quad-captain Alison Pilon '09. "We need to train smart and keep everyone healthy."
Quad-captain Dana Riker '10 agreed.
"This is a really strong team, even stronger than indoor," she said. "If people stick to their guns and focus on the training and mental approach to races and combine that with our momentum from the indoor season, we will boost our results and lead to an even better outdoor season."
This Saturday, the Bears will have another chance to stretch their outdoor legs in a dual meet against the University of New Hampshire, at the Reggie F. Atkins track in Durham. The meet will prepare Bowdoin for the following weekend, when the Aloha Relays will bring teams from across Maine to compete for the state title.