March 19, 2020
Hello all Yellow Jackets fans!
I hope this blog finds you well, and I hope you're bored from being stuck inside at home because this one is going to be long! I have quite a few things to discuss, based on recent events with the NCAA's response to cancel all spring athletics due to COVID-19 in the best interest of the health and safety of all athletes...but first, G-MAC BABY!
Upon writing this I realized I never updated on Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) Indoor Championships! Despite spring break right around the corner, the team was committed to competing and spent their first weekend of spring break at a track meet. I want to send a huge shout out to
Olivia Hoffman for her amazing 400 meter race where she placed first with a time of 58.01 seconds. There were so many other great performances at this very competitive meet. I know a lot of the team was excited to stay in a hotel overnight because for some of them it was their first (and unfortunately last) opportunity to compete in an overnight away meet this season.
Now, as I'm sure most of you are aware that the rest of our track & field season, comprised of the outdoor portion, is in fact canceled based on NCAA and G-MAC decisions. I'm sure, while this decision is extremely disappointing to the athletes (coming from an athlete), was even harder for these superiors to make. I like to remain faithful that those who made this decision did so in our best interest and for the well-being of all competing athletes. Our health and safety should be a top priority.
From my personal perspective, I was extremely disappointed to not have the opportunity to compete outdoors. I felt as though I was going to miss out on so many exciting experiences from a promising outdoor season, such as our big trip to Georgia for a warm meet. However, upon reflecting and praying about this, I can only approach this different and unexpected situation with a positive attitude for the ultimate goal of learning and benefit. Just because we don't have this season, all returning athletes will have another season and should continue preparing for the next season to come back even better than when they left.
With the recent closures of most public gyms at the moment, I want to encourage athletes to get creative and complete workouts at home. Staying motivated will be a struggle for some, so reaching out to teammates to connect with others will be critical in making or breaking the future success of the team. My heart and prayers especially go out to the seniors who had their final season taken from them. We believe in a firm foundation and that our identity is not in our sports, but in our Savior Jesus Christ. I hope that the seniors are coping with recent events well and looking toward a bright future after school.
To close my last blog, I want to thank all those for reading about the women's track season. And while we are not at school completing daily tasks in that way, I want to remind everyone of I Corinthians 10:31,
"So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."
We can still honor Christ and show his love to those around us even in the midst of this difficult season of life.
Compete With Purpose,
Madeline Barnes
Feb. 26, 2020
This past weekend felt great to be at home again! There was a great amount of joy from the Cedarville athletes being able to host 13 other Christian schools. The competition was tough, but the Yellow Jackets proved to be tougher! Some great performances from the event winners included:
Olivia Hoffman in the 400 meters
Rachel Sweeney in the 800 meters
The 4 x 800 meter relay team of
Rose Anthony,
Remington Hobson,
Bethany Sholl, and
Madeleine Permaki
Madeline Barnes (me!) in the pole vault
Hannah Willow in the high jump
The distance medley team of
Remington Hobson,
Bethany Sholl,
Kylie Johnson, and
Grace Norman
All these efforts led the Lady Jackets to our three-peat, defending NCCAA National Champion title! And shout out to the guys team for also pulling out a team win!
This coming week is busy with school work and practices in a final push to spring break and the G-MAC Championship meet.
More updates to come!
Compete With Purpose,
Madeline Barnes
Feb. 19, 2020
This past weekend was a crazy cluster of athletes spread between two meets and great performances! Both of these meets were very competitive and the Jackets stepped up to the challenge!
Some honorable mentions include:
Remington Hobson placing second in the 3,000 meters with a personal record of 10:30.13
Olivia Kundo finished fourth in the mile with a time of 5:21.05
Lauren Willow tied fourth in high jump with a jump of 1.62 meters
This upcoming weekend Cedarville will proudly host the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) Indoor National Championship meet! This meet is a great opportunity for fellow Christians to engage in friendly competition all to honor the great glory of God! The past two years the women's team has been able to win this Championship meet, and while the competition looks tough we will give our best efforts.
Loud cheering and support from classmates and friends will go along way for the Lady Jackets to run run run!
Can't wait for next week's updates!
Compete With Purpose,
Madeline Barnes
Feb. 13, 2020
What a busy weekend for traveling NOWHERE! The Cedarville track & field teams were able to host our home collegiate meet last Friday and the high school indoor invitational on Saturday. So, along with competing late on Friday it was all hands on deck the next morning to help officiate the high school meet! We really appreciate this opportunity to be able to experience the other side of the clock/watch/tape measure.
Some great performances included:
Alayna Ackley winning the 3,000 meters in 10:10.85.
Olivia Hoffman winning the 400 meters in 58.22.
Rachel Sweeney winning the 800 meters in 2:19.03.
Hannah Willow winning the high jump with 1.65 meters, and closely followed by sister
Lauren Willow with a jump of 1.62 meters.
Sarah Himes throwing 15.06 meters in weight for third place.
Also shout out to
Ryan Rager,
Caleb Carrico,
Joshua Brown, and
Ben Hulbert on the men's 4 x 200 meter relay team for setting a new school record!
This upcoming weekend we are splitting up the team (Oh no)! Some runners are traveling to Grand Valley State University to enjoy competing on a 300 meter track on Friday, while the rest of the team will be traveling to the University of Findlay to compete on Saturday! I can't wait to report back with results from those meets!
Compete With Purpose!
Madeline Barnes
Feb. 3, 2020
Welcome back for another week of track & field updates! This past weekend was a whirlwind of great performances and achievements! The meet at Ohio Northern was scored, so the girls were very excited for a chance to earn some points for the team.
This week I want to discuss a little bit of my personal start to the season along with some words of encouragement. The first few meets, I was not performing at a level I knew I could. While this was discouraging, the only thing I knew to do was go into practice every day with a new positive attitude willing to work hard and get better. My effort in these practices was not being reflected in my meet performances until this past weekend. Through this, I learned (and was reminded that) determination, perseverance, and faith will overcome when you don't give up. I saw the Lord's work to teach me that I can never know His plans for me until after the fact. Finally seeing my hard work pay off in the track meet made the victory so much sweeter and gave all the glory to God.
Even though sports can be frustrating, having a close group of supporters and friends in faith can help all athletes in their journey to success on and off the field (track/court/arena)! Looking forward to our next meet, we are FINALLY competing at home Friday, February 7 beginning at 3:30 p.m. in the Doden Field House. I hope to see many classmates and friends cheering on their (fast) friends!
Until next time!
Compete with Purpose!
Madeline Barnes
Jan. 30, 2020
This past weekend we were able to travel to Otterbein University for another great indoor meet! Getting ready for Saturday meets is one of my favorite things to do because these meets aren't quite as stressful...just as long as you set your alarm! It's also nice to not miss class in the heat of the semester, many of the girls on the team bring homework and study materials with the hope of getting work done. However, that is usually not the case (so unfortunate!).
Anyway, there were many great efforts given by several girls! Olivia Hoffman (joining us for the second time from the soccer team) won both the 200 meters and the 400 meters, it was quite a sight seeing her fly around the track! And shout out to some of my field event girls with Lauren Willow (joining us from the volleyball team) earning runner-up in the high jump!
Energy and competitive spirits are escalated this week as we prepare for another away meet at Ohio Northern University. Seriously, when is the home meet going to get here?! The team will travel to ONU on Saturday, February 1st. A new month brings new goals and fresh opportunities!
Remember, Compete With Purpose!
Madeline Barnes
Jan. 22, 2020
This past weekend at Youngstown State was a great meet for the Cedarville Women's Track & Field team! Being a competitive NCAA Division II athletic team, we are always so blessed to be able to travel to big venues and give our best efforts. The day began with an early 6:30 a.m. departure time and two Cedarville buses were packed full! Going up north meant colder temperatures, but lucky for us we were inside!
Some impressive performances included Alayna Ackley who won the 5,000 meter race with a time of 18:00.69 and Bethany Sholl who earned second place with a time of 18:33.32! Also, we had some new teammates join us from the soccer team including Olivia Hoffman and Rose Anthony.
For the 2020 opener, everyone did extremely well working out the kinks and shaking off the rust! I think this week has reignited the teams excitement for performances to come through the duration of the season. Now that we are safely home after a long meet day and a late night, the team is prepared to put in a good long week of hard work before the next meets! Our team will be split this coming weekend; some will be traveling to Otterbein University in Westerville, Ohio (near Columbus) and others will go to the University of Indianapolis.
Until next time (when I have more updates),
Compete with Purpose,
Madeline Barnes
Jan. 17, 2020
Hello Cedarville Track & Field fans! My name is Madeline Barnes and I will be serving as this year's Women's Track Team Blogger. I am originally from Columbus, Ohio and am currently a junior in the Athletic Training program. I am a third-year returning pole vaulter for Cedarville. I have achieved NCAA Division II National provisional qualifying marks in the pole vault and have obtained a college career best of 12 feet 2.5 inches. I was also the 2019 Outdoor G-MAC Champion. Serving as a team captain and as the team's Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) Representative have been my favorite ways to become more involved in Cedarville athletics.
As the winter temperatures are falling, the track team's excitement for the 2020 season is rising. Both the men's and women's track teams will be traveling to Youngstown State University for their indoor Invitational on Friday, January 17. Many are excited for the first opportunity to see how the fall training has paid off. We expect many great efforts from all the athletes, and I can't wait to update you on performances from this weekend!
I'm very excited for the upcoming indoor and outdoor seasons! I feel our team is strong on and off the track. We won't only be competitive in meets, but we will also be academically and spiritually strong. Overall, I feel there is a closeness on the team already that can allow us to support each other well during practice and competitions. Only time will tell what plans God has in store for each and every member on the team, so that we can eventually look back on the 2020 seasons and sing His praise.
Competing with Purpose,
Madeline Barnes
Madeline Barnes is a junior pole vaulter from Lewis Center, Ohio. She is in her third season with the Lady Jackets and is majoring in athletic training.
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