Marshall Track & Field Preview
By Ben Anderson, FM88 Sports
March 18, 2025
HUNTINGTON, W. Va. (WMUL-FM) — Marshall Track & Field’s jumpers have been putting in the work for the long-awaited outdoor season.
“We’ve been going heavy since we got back from conference (Sun Belt Conference Indoor Championships),” senior jumper Addison Painter said. “We’ve really have had no days off; a lot of those days that would have been easier days have been harder days. We’ve been hard on the technicality of the events.”
With the jumpers, there are many different goals for the outdoor season in mind.
“Me personally, I’m picking up a couple of more events,” Painter said. “Going into triple jump, going into Jav (Javelin Throw) a little bit, so hopefully can add some more points for the team.”
“My goals would be to podium in the heptathlon,” junior combined events athlete Lara Check said. “I like to have the 200 (meter dash) and the jav (javelin throw) come into play. I’ll definitely be focusing on those throughout practice as we haven’t really done too much javelin training and definitely focus on the 800 (meter-dash).”
“I had a PR in high school that I’ve been chasing in college,” freshman jumper Ryan Muktar said. “It’s been a little bit rough, but I have had a few collegiate PR’s. So, my goal is to get back to there, I want to break the school in the high jump too and also getting ready to place in conference.”
The Thundering Herd faced many top competitions throughout the indoor season from multiple power five conferences. That challenge continues as Marshall starts the outdoor season at the University of Miami of the Atlantic Coastal Conference.
“A really good way to start the outdoor season,” Painter said. “Going to the U (University of Miami), its big, its bright, everyone’s excited. Go down to Florida and see the nice weather and see the top competition.”
The Herd, now in its third season in the Sun Belt Conference, understands the challenges that are preparing for leading up to the outdoor conference championships.
“Top to bottom, the Sun Belt is pretty evenly split throughout a lot of events,” Painter said. “We’re (Sun Belt Conference) not hitting a ton of the qualifying marks, but there is national qualifies all throughout the conference.”
The Thundering Herd has over 40 newcomers on the roster, and the outdoor season provides more events for the team to develop the athletes.
“That’s the great thing about adding in the 400 hurdles specifically,” Check said. “A lot of our underclassmen will be running those and the times that they are hitting are equivalent to making the conference finals.”
With the outdoor season, mother nature can have an impact on the athletes’ performances, especially with the wind.
“I think it plays a factor somewhat like it does for running,” Muktar said. “You do have the tailwind, so you can run a little bis faster if you’re running up. If you’re running for your jump, it can push up against you, but whenever it gives you that little boost in your run up it can help a lot.”
Marshall does not have an outdoor facility, but that does not stop the athletes from being able to prepare for the weather elements before competitions.
“We get a little bit of time to practice when we got to the meet,” Muktar said. “So, just focus on the technique and the power when we’re at home, and when we go out to meets, to actually focus on how the elements are effecting you, whether it’s raining or a lot of wind, just focus on what points you need to work on.”
The Herd aims to build momentum throughout the season in its quest for a Sun Belt Conference Outdoor Championship Title.
“Everybody was a little bit disappointed after indoor (conference championships),” Painter said. “A little bit of a sour taste in our mouths. We’ve got some top events for our team specifically. I think we’re going to have a little bit more of an edge and everybody’s hungry so we’re good to go.”