The Missouri Baptist University track & field team kicked off their outdoor season with a trip to Missouri University of Science and Technology in Rolla, MO, on March 25. While the meet included both running and field events, this photo gallery showcases the track side of track & field.
Athletes were treated to a radiating sun-soaked and cloudless sky as they lined up on the track to begin a heat of the 800-meter run, an event that requires a tough mix of sprinting speed and endurance. All photos by Isabel Rinkenberger
Wyatt Elliot leads a pack of runners in the 1500-meter run. Usually a longer-distance runner, he specializes in the 10,000-meter and 5,000-meter runs but is willing to run shorter events if his coach enters him.
Adrienne Rockette took the lead for the women’s 1500-meter run, posting a personal best despite it being her first time racing the event.
Mia Oellermann hurdles during the 100-meter hurdles, a race not for the faint of heart or the weak of ankles. The athlete also ran the 400-meter hurdles, increasing the difficulty as well as the distance.
Within the track loop, the Missouri S&T football field became overrun with track athletes warming up and waiting for their events to be called.
Mattie Noyes continued the Spartan trend of leading the pack by striding out in first for the first lap of her heat of the 800-meter run.
Jada O’Donnell of Columbia College looked calm and in control during her 1500-meter run, finishing with a time of 5:10.3.
The near-empty stands at the Missouri S&T track encouraged teammates of those running to cheer extra loud to make up for the lack of outside spectators.
William Woods University duo Alicia Engelbrecht and Mekayla Gibson take control in the 5,000-meter run, showcasing their cross country talent and endurance on the track.
Maddie Sargent participated in the women’s 5,000-meter run for the first time in her college career, making her time of 20:56.44 a personal best.
Isabel Rinkenberger is the digital director (2022-2023) for MBU Timeline. She is majoring in journalism and hopes to work in some form of online content creation or management after graduation. Running both cross country and track for MBU, she also enjoys baking and designing websites in her limited free time.
Kate Goodberlet 
MBU Timeline