While track and field is generally an individual sport, the Ohio State women’s team is a supportive family.
“The team has good chemistry,” said coach Karen Dennis. “That is critical for performance.”
The team spends a great deal of time together off the track. They organize get-togethers such as game nights and are currently planning a bowling night, Dennis said.
“We are always laughing and making fun of each other,” senior sprinter Chandra Krempel said. “We get each other gag gifts. I got Jenna (Griffin) a really funny one.”
The team is supportive of one another at practice and at meets. As Krempel practiced Wednesday, teammate and fellow sprinter Ayrizanna Favours cheered her on, shouting “Go Chandra!”
“We all cheer for each other,” Griffin said. “We have a lot of support for each other.”
The team has not always been as close-knit.
“It wasn’t like that last year,” Krempel said. “There is a lot more team spirit this year.”
“We laugh and we joke with each other,” Favours said. “But when it’s time to get serious, we get serious.”
Coach’s expectationsAfter finishing last at the Big Ten Championships during the indoor season, Dennis is focused on strengthening the team.
“We’re still a young team,” she said. “And we’re improving. A lot of the girls have really started to come along.”
Sophomore distance runner Sarah Foster is healthy and showing improvement after coming off an injury. The extremely young 3200-meter team consisting of sophomores Emily Thompson and Ashley Jones and freshmen Mardez Desmond and Kesha Brooks should be very competitive this season, Dennis said.
“Our goal this season is to qualify individuals for the NCAA regionals,” Dennis said. “I also want to improve our standing in the Big Ten conference.”
Dennis has confidence in her older and more experienced athletes as well. Griffin and Favours are both Big Ten champions and senior thrower Veronica Jatsek is an All-American.
Above all, Dennis wants her athletes to do their best.
“It’s important that you do what you’re capable of,” Dennis said. “If you don’t compete to your potential, that’s underachieving and that is unacceptable.”
Up nextThe Buckeyes will compete in the Sea Ray Relays in Knoxville, Tenn. today and Saturday.
“This weekend we want to build upon our last meet,” Dennis said. “We want to build on our progress every week.”
Next weekend the team will split up and head to two different meets. Part of the team will be competing at the Mt. Sac Relays in Ponoma, Calif., while the rest of the team heads to Cincinnati for the All-Ohio Championships.
Megan Savage can be reached at [email protected].
