The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Women's Track & Field eyes second straight Big 12 Outdoor title
05.03.2013 | Track & Field / Cross Country w, Track & Field / Cross Country
May 3, 2013
Mallory Majcher, Texas Media Relations
AUSTIN, Texas - Though it's the desire to win that constantly fuels the Women's Track and Field team, it was actually a "loss" that has inspired the Longhorns into the outdoor portion of their schedule.
UT finished a close second at the Big 12 Indoor Championships in February, falling just 2 ½ points shy of Kansas. But instead of looking at the second-place standing as a defeat, the Longhorn squad chose to use it as motivation as they launched into the outdoor season.
"It could have been so easy to get caught up in the negativity," four-time Big 12 champion Kendra Chambers said. "As a team, we had no choice but to continue our obligation to The University, which is to compete to the best of our ability, no matter what the circumstances."
Heading into this weekend's Big 12 Outdoor Championships in Waco, the defending outdoor conference champion Longhorns continue to keep a positive attitude at the forefront of their training. It is a theme that has been constantly encouraged by the squad's six competing seniors, who have taken a commanding leadership role during the ups and downs of the 2013 season.
"Being that close to winning at conference indoors and coming up just a little short, literally a couple points, was incredibly upsetting," senior sprinter Alicia Peterson said. "You almost would rather have lost by 10 points, 20. Going into outdoor conference, we are so determined, so focused to make sure we aren't thinking 'what if' or 'should have, would have, could have' at the end. We know what needs to get done and we have the tools to do it."
The senior group, composed of Chambers, Peterson, Chalonda Goodman, Mia Behm, Anne Jones and Natasha Masterson, has ensured that adversity translates to inspiration, not only for themselves, but also for their teammates.
"We try to be leaders for the whole team," Goodman said. "We want to motivate and guide them."
Jones feels that the team-centric focus the squad has possessed this season would make winning a second straight Big 12 Outdoor title as a senior leader that much more meaningful.
"I think everyone wants this championship title so badly, and it is reflected in how hard we have been working," Jones said. "Everyone is running like they have something to prove because we know we have to be on our 'A' game to win."
The senior group has taken the initiative to motivate and encourage their teammates by leading through example. However, the success of the Texas program stems from the strength of not only the seniors, but also the underclassmen.
"We don't have clearly defined captains, but that works really well for the team," distance runner Behm said. "Everyone, including the seniors, has stepped up to lead the team and contribute this year, regardless of the circumstances. Even the underclassmen are stepping up and showing leadership through their performances."
The strong team dynamic has also been a driving force for the Longhorns in 2013. Although the seniors have initiated a leadership position, they feel that the lack of a hierarchy makes each athlete feel like a powerful asset to the entirety of the program.
"When we are on the track, we are one team," Chambers said. "We do not want the underclassmen to feel underrated and we show that through respect."
As the Longhorns seek to defend their title this weekend in Waco, they'll be competing for each other as much as The University of Texas.
"This team has provided sisters and true friends, a family," Peterson said. "To have someone fight for you and you for them the way we all have this season, it would mean so much to come out on top this weekend."
