By Allison Hernandez, Staff Writer
Newman University’s new track and field program is preparing for its first season, adding another sport to the university’s athletic department and providing student athletes with another opportunity to compete at the collegiate level.
Athletic Director Kenyon Spears said the decision to add the program came after his staff evaluated Newman’s existing athletic teams and looked for opportunities to expand the university’s offerings.
“Part of my job. . . was to assess all of our teams and our sports,” Spears said. “We already had cross country in place, so looking at adding track, in my eyes, was just the right thing to do.”
Derrick Young Jr. will serve as the director of track and field and cross country. Young previously helped revive the track and field program at Northwestern Oklahoma State University and most recently served as an assistant coach for sprints and hurdles at UNC Pembroke in Pembroke, North Carolina.
Young’s connection to Newman started before he ever applied for the coaching position. Young said he had previously coached an athlete who later transferred to Newman.
“I told this athlete if Newman started a track team, I’ll be the head coach there,” Young said.
The program currently has 29 athletes between cross country and track and field, Young said. Although the teams are separate, Newman’s cross country athletes will also compete in track and field.
The team’s first track meet, which will be hosted by Friends University, is scheduled for Dec. 5 at Wichita State University’s Heskett Center.
Without an on campus track, the team has found other locations to train. Young said athletes use the practice soccer field and other available spaces on campus. Bishop Carroll also provides access to its track when needed, and the team has traveled to the Genesis Sports Complex for training.
Young said not having a dedicated track on campus will not prevent the team from preparing for competition.
“It’s not about having a track. As long as you have space and opportunity, you’re fine,” Young said.
Young said the program’s culture will focus on the character and work ethic of its athletes.
“We look for integrity,” Young said. “Somebody that’s self-motivated. You’ve got to have faith. That is the main thing with me.”
Young said he hopes to see several conference champions and All-Americans during the program’s first season. He also hopes to increase the roster to 55 to 60 athletes next year.
Spears said the addition of track and field will give Newman’s cross country athletes more opportunities to compete throughout the year.
“With having some pretty solid cross country student-athletes, give them that opportunity to run in the winter and the spring to give them more opportunities to win medals, to win meets, and to have an opportunity to compete in regionals and nationals,” he said.
As the program develops, Young said he wants the team to become an established part of Newman athletics.
“Just to see Newman grow from a small school to eventually be one of those best schools as well. . .” Young said. “So I’m excited for everybody to see the growth.”
Young said the team will focus on working hard and representing Newman during its first season.
“We are going to come in and put our hands down and work hard and make everybody proud,” Young said.
