With their indoor seasons finished, a new era in Grand Valley State University men’s and women’s track and field will soon begin when the Lakers open the 2012 outdoor season at home against Saginaw Valley State University on their brand-new outdoor track complex on March 31.

It will be one of five meets the Lakers host in the outdoor season, a far greater number than they are accustomed to.

“It’s going to be great because we can sleep in our own beds,” said senior sprinter Xavier Parnell. “But it is really going to be a great year to open and see what we can do on this track. We have been waiting for this for a while.”

Not only is it something that the student-athletes have been counting down the days to, but the coaching staff has had a profound exuberance for the new facility.

“To have some home meets so our student-athletes have the opportunity to compete in front of friends and family, that will definitely be a plus,” said GVSU men’s and women’s head coach Jerry Baltes. “In addition, not having to miss as much class time will really help us and then not traveling will save wear and tear on the body.”

The outdoor season holds some distinct differences from indoor. There are several new events including the 400-meter hurdles and 4×100-meter relay in sprints, the 10,000-meter run and steeplechase in distance, as well as the discus and javelin for throwing events. However, the elements of Mother Nature are something not to be forgotten, especially in Michigan.

“The weather is variable so that may not be the best,” Parnell said. “The meets give us the best opportunity to succeed. Say the distance runners make a trip to California, it gives them an opportunity to compete in warmer weather, which we all need.”

As two-time indoor National Champions and reigning Division II outdoor National Champions, the women’s focus is strictly on repeating just as they did in the indoor season.

“I think some people would get complacent after winning one national championship,” said junior mid-distance runner Ashley Botham. “For our team, it keeps us hungry to win another one just because we do want to come back and defend our title. It only fuels the fire to push us harder.”

While there is a significant layoff between the end of the indoor season and the start of the outdoor season, it is a time where either taking some time off or continuing to progress is necessary, depending on the athlete.

“It really depends on the individual, the event group,” Baltes said. “You definitely have to take what we call a deep breath, whether it is one day, two days, or a week and just let your body catch up.”

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