New coach leads track team to four school records

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Led by new Head Coach Nick Schneigert, the Crusader Track and Field team competed in yesterday’s Texas Tech Shootout meet, breaking or setting school records in four separate events. This is Schneigert’s first year as head coach, and he shoulders a large amount of responsibility as the season begins.

“It’s a challenge as the only coach right now for the program. I’m the hurdles, jumps, distance and sprints coach,” Schneigert said. 

Coaching field, distance and sprints all at the same time can prove a difficult task, but his experience coaching high school through adult teams in multiple events makes him a huge asset to the team. With a Level II USATF coaching certification, and background experience from the Chicago Area Runners Association (CARA), Rockford College and Illinois Tech, he aims to build culture and development with the team. 

Schneigert is assisted by Volunteer Assistant Coach Mary Foster, an expert in the throwing field. Both have come into contact with many big athletes, with Sneigert coaching “25 USTFCCCA All-Americans, nine NJCAA All-Americans, and two Northern Athletics Conference (NAC) All-Conference athletes,” according to UD Athletics. These experienced coaches have provided UD’s 25 athletes with a small, tight-knit community as well as a rigorous training program in the spring 2020 season.

Schneigert said he is happy with the team’s final times. 

“We broke or set 4 school records and will set another one with the men’s 4×4[00] because we haven’t competed in that event in the whole history of our school’s indoor seasons,” said Schneigert. 

The men’s 4×400 on Saturday, anchored by senior Kevin McGuirk, ran for a time of 3:54.18, with each leg averaging at 58.5 seconds. 

McGuirk shined in his element on Saturday, participating in the 4×400, the weight throw, the 60m dash and the 60m hurdles. He currently holds multiple school records in various events. As this is his last season with us, we hope to see him paving the way for our athletes in the future. 

Also notable are the women’s sprinting events. Led by freshman Maddie Rodriguez, the Crusader’s finished the 60m and 200m dashes; Rodriguez’s teammates were close on her tail. She holds the top marks in both races, with times of 9.14 and 30.71, respectively. 
Stay tuned for next weekend’s meet at Millsaps College in Jackson, MS. The team looks incredibly promising, and are excited to see just what they can do. Siempre Adelante (ever onward)!

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