NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Qualifiers from the Vanderbilt Track and Field team will be heading to Eugene, Oregon, to compete on the biggest stage in collegiate track.
“It’s like stepping into the Super Bowl,” Vanderbilt junior long jumper Lena Gooden said. “It’s everything and more. It’s grand; it’s as big as a football field, but it’s just for track.”
Ten athletes across eight events punched their ticket to the track capital of the world. The qualifiers include Falon Spearman, Madyson Wilson, Josie Donalson, Faith Franklin, Joy Moorer, Marta Sivina, Lily Kriegel, Mackenzie Dragrosa, Cali Bryant and Lena Gooden.
“This part of the season is a celebration; it’s like the pinnacle of your college athletic career,” Vanderbilt senior multi competitor Marta Sivina said.
Vanderbilt Director of Cross Country and Track and Field Althea Thomas joined the program in 2021. This year, she sends her highest number of athletes to the NCAA championship.
“It took time for it to become contagious, so everyone can see: that will be me; that can be me; that must be me… it’s become our mantra. We’re not just here to participate but here to impact the NCAA,” Thomas said.
Last year, two athletes qualified for the championship.
“I think the mindset of the program has shifted we kind of went from being an underdog and having something to prove to where our team is so full of talent, we don’t have to prove anything else,” Vanderbilt senior hurdler Falon Spearman said.
But the growth has been intentional for Vandy.
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“Our Athletic Director, Candice Storey Lee, we’ve already talked about changing the narrative, that is we talk about what we want even if it’s far away and we find ourselves moving in that way very intentionally,” Thomas said.
The team will leave for Oregon on Sunday and will start competing on Thursday.
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