The indoor season may have come and gone, but Portland State is far from finished with their track and field campaign. The Vikings will begin their outdoor season this weekend in Eugene at the Oregon Preview.
This year’s outdoor portion of the season will be a special one for Portland State, as they will host the Big Sky Outdoor Championships in May. After the women’s team came up just short of the conference title indoors, the coaching staff are hoping that home advantage and the addition of some new athletes to the lineup will give the Vikings that extra push to take home first place.
“We think we have what it takes to make up those 14 points on Sacramento State,” assistant coach Seth Henson said. “We’re gearing our women up to win it. [As] for our men, we feel like we have too much talent to be in last place, so we are looking for eighth or better.”
Although the indoor season ended last month, sprinter Geronne Black had one more obligation on her schedule, competing in the NCAA National Championship in Arizona last weekend. Though the senior failed to advance in the meet, finishing 15th, the race capped off a great season for Black, who has gained a lot of recognition locally.
“I’ve never seen an athlete that has worked as hard as she has since the day she got here,” Henson said. “I’m proud of her for that.”
The Vikings are eager to get to Eugene, but are careful to keep the meet in context. “It’s truly a preview,” Henson said. “It is an opportunity for us coaches to see where each of our kids is at in their own events.”
After a long indoor stretch, the Oregon Preview will provide an opportunity to get some fresh faces into the mix.
“We are looking for some of the people who did not compete in the indoor season—like javelin throwers and distance throwers—to open up,” Henson said.
The Oregon Preview is slated for noon this Saturday. Next week, the Vikings have a couple of meets on the agenda, with the Texas Relays in Austin scheduled for March 27–30 and the Willamette Invitational in Salem taking place March 29–30.