It is an exciting time for the track and field athletes of Colby College. As the weather gets nicer and the days get longer, it is obvious that spring is right around the corner. And with spring comes the end of the season for the indoor track teams and the start of the outdoor track season.

This past weekend marked the NCAA Division III Indoor Track and Field Championships. Colby sent one athlete to the meet, runner Emma Linhard '11. Linhard was competing in the mile, and she did not disappoint. Her final time of 5:02.47 was good for sixth in the country. It is the second consecutive year that Linhard has finished sixth, and the third year in a row that she has earned an All-American honor. So congratulations to Linhard, and all the members of the indoor track and field teams, for completing a successful season.

This upcoming week will mark the start of the outdoor track and field seasons, as both teams will be making trips to San Diego for training and the opening meet of the season. For the men, seniors Mike Bienkowski and Ben Ossoff, who have already had successful seasons running cross country and indoor track this year, will be looking to lead the Mules to glory in their final seasons at Colby. Also leading the way will be David Lowe '11, who last year finished sixth in the decathlon at the Open New England Championships. Another athlete to watch is Trent Wiseman '13, who broke the Colby pole vautling record this past season, as he looks to add more accolades to his list of accomplishments.

On the women's side, Linhard will be looking to continue her All-American form from the indoor track season, and there is no reason to expect anything less. She was the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) champion in the 1,500-meter run during the last outdoor track season. Joining her as a reigning NESCAC champion is Danielle Sheppard '11, who triumphed in the high jump last year. Katrina Gravel '10 will also be returning, after qualifying for the ECAC Championship Meet last year in the 5,000 meters. Last year, the women's team had a streak of five straight weeks when one of its members was the NESCAC Field Performer of the Week, and although some of those athletes may have graduated, the team will be looking to have similar success this year.