Rachel Yeates, Campus Carrier Managing Editor
For the first time since 1984, Berry’s athletic department is in the process of recruiting athletes for a full track and field team.
Eager to break in the new track in Valhalla stadium, Luke Syverson, the new head track and field coach, is looking to define the re-emerging program.
“The unique part about this job and what I’m excited about is being able to build a program,” Syverson said. “There’s a lot of groundwork that needs to happen with deciding on the philosophy and culture of the program – what it’s going to look like, what it’s going to feel like. A lot of that is going to be set up in advance, so that when kids do get to campus, they know what’s expected of them.”
In the time between 1984 and the present, Berry maintained a track and field presence, however only in distance events.
Paul Deaton, head cross country coach and one of four assistant track and field coaches, is excited to see the program grow.
“Up until now, I was the only coach of cross country and track, so starting this year, since we’ll be doing all 21 events, Luke Syverson will be the head coach in charge of all events, and I will continue to do what I’ve done in the past – both cross country and the distance runners in track,” Deaton said. “I’m very excited to be helping Coach Syverson build the best track program we can.”
Though track and field is a spring sport, training starts now.
“Distance athletes are your last true two-sport athletes in college athletics because then they’re running year round,” Syverson said. “It benefits them, running track. You almost need to in order to have a successful cross country season.”
The first practice on the new track was on Tuesday.
Seniors Rachel Dorris and Kyle Harris said they are looking forward to growth in the program.
“My freshman year was the first year we were officially allowed to compete in Division III and the Southern Athletic Association,” Harris said. “So it has been really cool to see the progress we have [made] already since then.”
Dorris wants to see Berry present a more unified front at competitions.
“I have been able to compete during the track season, however Berry College as a team could never compete as a whole since we only scored for the distance events,” she said.
Syverson is excited for the program’s potential.
“There’s something for everybody,” he said. “You have a lot of different people participating in a lot of different events. So it’s unique in that capacity that it’s an individual sport, but it’s also a team sport.”
Deaton said he knows the athletes will impact Berry on and off the track.
“We want to do more than just run and jump and throw,” he said. “We want to do it in a way that it complements a Berry education. We want to have purpose to every practice and competition that lasts beyond these four years.”