BY MADDIE WILLIAMS

In print | Published January 22, 2009 — Updated January 26, 2009 21:31

In the words of co-captain Dan Hodson ’09, the Swarthmore men’s and women’s indoor track teams are prepared to “pay any price” and “bear any burden to win every race.”

Head Coach Pete Carroll’s version of the team goals are slightly less dire, but no less ambitious. Simply put, his aim is to have each athlete perform to the best of his or her ability. “The trick,” he said, “is the timing of the performance.”

Timing certainly seems to be working out this winter for the Swarthmore track teams, whose members have already posted several personal bests and record-breaking times at the first two meets. The teams traveled to Haverford College to compete in the Jack Pyrah Meet on Dec. 5, and later to the University of Delaware for the Delaware Invitational on Jan. 9.

Swat fared very well in both meets. At the Jack Pyrah Meet, several athletes had excellent showings. Co-captain Kathy Feeney ’09 won the mile in 5:27.03, while men’s co-captain Connor Darby ’09 placed first in the 800 meter run in 2:00.52.

Swarthmore also saw positive results from the Delaware Invitational. In addition to a solid team performance, some individual standouts emerged at the meet. Caitlin Mullarkey ’09 proved to be just as potent a force on the track as in the classroom, setting a school record for the indoor mile with a time of 5:08.82. Only one other female runner at the meet, which hosted an array of Division I and Division III athletes alike, beat Mullarkey’s time that day. She and teammate Hodson were honored as Centennial Co-Indoor Track & Field Athletes of the Week as a result of their outstanding runs. Hodson ran an all-time personal best in the mile with a time of 4:38.56. Bess Ritter ’09 also beat her personal record in the mile, crossing the finish line at 5:26.54. Kenyetta Givans ’12 made her hurdle debut, finishing second in her heat and posting a time of 9.56.

Distance runners who ran throughout the cross-country season could use their fall fitness as a starting point this winter, but some athletes were making other transitions, coming off of seasons playing other sports. Mullarkey, for example, is also a member of the women’s soccer team, which competes in the fall. While the types of training and fitness obviously differ between the two sports, “track is much more team-oriented than most people realize,” Mullarkey said. “You rely on your teammates to train everyday in practice, to help you through the workouts and races.”

The coaches also serve as an integral part of the training experience. Coaches Pete Carroll and John Noon often participate in team runs, including the Monday “‘hammer’ runs,” so-called by Hodson “because they run with us and just hammer and hammer until they’re left with only one runner by the end.” Assistant Coach Tom Reynolds works closely with the athletes participating in field events. All three coaches had extremely successful track and field careers at the collegiate level.

While Mullarkey, Hodson and several other upperclassmen will surely continue to contribute their experience and skill to the team, several new faces have also made their mark.

“Kenyetta Givans ’12 was a state level hurdler in PA last year in high school,” Coach Carroll said. Fellow first-year Melissa Frick ’12 was also a state level distance runner in high school and joins the squad after an outstanding debut season with the Garnet cross-country team this fall. “She’ll be one to watch,” Carroll said of Frick, who is currently recovering from an injury. He also cited Daniel Ly ’12 as “an extremely talented triple and long jumper” who could have a future impact in conference scoring.

The Swarthmore men’s and women’s track teams will compete in the McElligott Invite at Haverford on Saturday, Jan. 31.

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