Upstate Announces 2013-14 Track and Field Schedule
11/22/2013 12:00:00 AM | Track and Field
Spartanburg, S.C. – USC Upstate track and field head coach Natalie Smith has announced that her squad will be running in 12 meets for the upcoming 2013-14 campaign.
The Spartans will compete in five events during the indoor season and seven in the outdoor season. Upstate officially kicks off its 2013-14 season Dec. 5-6 in Boone, N.C. at the Appalachian Open.
"We are really looking forward to what this 2013-14 campaign has to offer this year," said the third-year head coach. "We are still an extremely young team especially on the men's side. After losing a major class of seniors last year it will be interesting to see who will fill those shoes. I am sure that we will have some peaks and valleys this year, however, thus far it has been a great group to work with because they come to work every day and really enjoy this sport. As a coach it makes training sessions much more productive and enjoyable."
The indoor opener at Appalachian State is one of two events in Boone that Upstate will participate in during the indoor season. The Spartans also take part in the Mountaineer Open Feb. 7-8. Between those two meets, Upstate heads to the Niswonger Invitational (Jan. 17-18) in Johnson City, Tenn. and Hilton Garden Invitational (Jan. 31-Feb. 1) in Winston-Salem, N.C. The 2013-14 A-Sun Indoor Championships take place Feb. 21-22 in Winston-Salem.
The NCAA Indoor Championships are scheduled for Mar. 14-15 in Albuquerque, N.M.
"On both the men and women's side we will be much better in the field event areas as well as the hurdles," Smith said. "Looking at our schedule it has slightly changed from the previous years and we are looking forward to having a new site for the indoor championships this upcoming season."
The outdoor portion of the schedule kicks off Mar. 14-15 at the 49er Classic in Charlotte, N.C. The Spartans continue the following week at the Shamrock Invitational (Mar. 20-22) in Myrtle Beach, S.C., and wrap up the month of March in Raleigh, N.C. with the Raleigh Relays Mar. 28-29. The month of April consists of three meets beginning with the VertKlasse Meeting Apr. 4-5 in High Point, N.C. Upstate will follow with the Carolina Cup (Apr. 11) in Rock Hill, S.C. and Charlotte Invitational (Apr. 18-19) in Charlotte, N.C. The 2014 A-Sun Outdoor Championships are set for May 16-17 in Jacksonville, Fla.
The 2013-14 season wraps up with the NCAA East First Round (May 29-31) in Jacksonville, Fla. and NCAA National Championships (June 11-14) in Eugene, Ore.
"If we get things going during the indoor season I believe that this is going to be a great year to be a part of this program as we build it to eventually become one of the premiere teams in the Atlantic Sun Conference," added Smith.
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