The Winston-Salem State University track team enters its third season of competition in NCAA division 1 track and field. After a very pleasing 2006-2007 season, the Rams hope to outrun the competition by being faster, stronger and much healthier.
Head coach Halcyon Blake has been coaching the Rams for three years and has brought the program to the national spotlight. Feb. 2, 2007, seven WSSU student-athletes traveled to the New Balance Collegiate Invitational in New York City where they competed against some of the top competition in the country, including Arkansas, Southern California, and Florida.
“My team did fantastic last season and went above and beyond my expectations,” said Blake.
The Rams expect to improve their performance by preparing harder and changing a few things, mainly their diet. Blake has implemented nutritional guidelines that restrict certain types of food, including white bread, caffeine, pizza, cake, and chewing gum. She has also offered tips on how much rest to get each night.
“The simple sugars you find in cakes and chewing gums take longer to breakdown,” said Blake.
Members of the track team have seen their performance shift to a higher gear already. “I feel more rejuvenated since I quit eating fast foods and started following coach’s guide, and I don’t feel as heavy on the track when I’m running,” said Allegra Eseegars, freshman sprinter.
Even the field players have felt an impact of the nutritional guide. “I lost 40 pounds so far, and it has improved my overall speed and strength,” said senior thrower Hunter Glenn.
Blake wants to be clear about the nutritional guide. “No one is on a diet. This is simply a nutritional guide,” said Blake. Blake has informed the members of the team that this is not mandatory, and she has explained the benefits of the guidelines. “Most people tell you what and what not to eat, but most never explain to you why. Coach has done this for us,” said freshman mid-distance runner Ashley Fraser.
The Rams kick off their 2007-2008 indoor track season on Nov. 30 in the Liberty Kickoff in Lynchburg, Va. at 3 p.m.