The Rundown on Men’s Track

Missouri Baptist University’s 2014-15 men’s track and field team has enjoyed successes from the indoor season and leaders on the team have a positive projection as they head into the outdoor season.

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By MILES CHASE

The men’s track and field team at Missouri Baptist University has had a commendable indoor season, with great leaders and seasoned talent earning them high regard.

Missouri Baptist men’s team competes with the elite as three male athletes qualified for Indoor Nationals held from Feb. 3-7 in Geneva, Ohio.

Traveling by bus to Ohio were race walkers Alejandro Chavez, Nick Christie and sprinter Cameron Hampton.

Hampton competed in the 60-meter race, while Chavez and Christie qualified in the 5 kilometer race walk.

Hampton ran 6.97 seconds in the 60-meter, finishing 22nd out of the 25 competitors.

Christie took home the National Championship in the indoor 5 kilometer.

He race walked a time of 11:46.20 in the 5 kilometer, which earned him the national title as well as the collegiate division’s national record.

“Success comes from preparation, motivation and quality training. I’m fortunate enough to be around enough people with the same mindset to allow each of those qualities to click,” Christie said. “But, to simplify it even further, hard work and luck can go a long way.”

Chavez did well in nationals also, placing third in the 5-kilometer race walk with a time of 12:27.76.

The team also had success in the AMC Indoor Track and Field conference meet, finishing fourth out of seven teams.

Their men’s 4×400 meter team finished third out of seven, running a time of 3:32.21.

MBU track and field has a hard-working men’s team, with leaders pushing the team every practice.

Behind the scenes are captains David Lee and Max Wingate, who lead the team by exemplifying hard work.

“We are definitely coming together as a team and pushing each other to be better,” Lee said. “I can see people becoming less individualistic. Building up the team is foundational to becoming a great athlete, and this is the direction we’re heading if we keep up our determination.”