As the temperatures begins to rise in Macomb, no one is more excited about the spring temperatures than WIU athletics, including WIU’s Track and Field team. Even throughout the bitterly cold and snowy winter weather, the team made sure they practiced (inside) so nothing would slow them down (literally) when the season officially started. I was able to get a few quick words in with head coach David Beauchem about the 2014 team and season.
With the unpredictable weather being less than cooperative, the team has had to practice inside more than usual. Coach Beauchem said the weather has interfered with the team’s training days, so the coaches had to lighten the work load so no one would get hurt. “This is not what we had hoped for, but there was no other choice,” Beauchem said. He stressed that having good weather is more important now than it was earlier in the season. “The meets in May are when we need the best competition days,” he said.
As the weather got nicer and nicer over the past two weekends, Coach Beauchem said there was a significant improvement among athletes during the last two meets. And now, they are working to prepare for the Summit League Outdoor Meet. He explained that their goal is to be a top 3 team at the Summit League Meet. “From there we want to have individuals qualified for the Regional Track and Field (TF) meet and having a shot to advance to the NCAA National Championships,” Coach Beauchem said. In order to accomplish any of that, he explained the team has to score points in the Summit League from more than just the All-League performers. “We have to score points from 15-plus competitors on each team,” he said.
Beauchem has been the head coach at WIU for four years now, coaching both the men’s and women’s team. “It is great having both teams; I think it works very well together,” he said. When asked what he finds most rewarding about his coaching position, he said the answer to that question could be found at the Lee Calhoun Memorial Weekend. “Every one has been different, but it is the highlight of our program every year,” he explained. This year marked the 25th Lee Calhoun Memorial Track and Field Meet. The meet/weekend attracted a nice turnout and brought back a great group of WIU track and field alumni, which Beauchem really enjoyed. “It was great to have them back on campus for the weekend,” he said.
This season, the strength of the team comes from top level individuals, Beauchem explained. “We are a little thin on depth, but our freshmen are coming along,” he said. The team definitely has some very strong performers including some Summit League Champions who have helped lead WIU’s program for some time, Beauchem further stated. He has been really proud of the student-athletes who have succeeded at the Summit League Meet in the past, and he hopes more can do the same this season. “We have put a lot of emphasis on performing on the championship day and to see it all come together has been great,” Beauchem said.
This weekend the team will be competing in Arkansas. Next Friday they will head to Cedar Falls, Iowa and then onto Normal, Illinois on Saturday. If you have the opportunity, go cheer on the WIU Leathernecks! Coach Beauchem appreciates all the support of the fans, and I’m sure the team does too. Let’s support our men and women’s Track and Field team as the Summit League Meet quickly approaches. We all hope the Track and Field team makes it to the top 3. Go Necks!
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