This past weekend, the men’s track and field team stayed close to Baltimore to compete against Division I competition at the Towson Invitational. Not only did Hopkins perform well against stout competition, they won the entire meet, besting the second place University of Maryland, Baltimore County Golden Retrievers by 12 points.
The Blue Jays had a number of stand-out performances, including freshman Ethan Bartlett who won the triple jump and came in third place in the high jump. Bartlett came right behind teammate and fellow freshman Justin Canedy, who was named this week’s Centennial Conference Field Athlete of the Week.
Senior Alex Mollick, however, had an especially impressive week, setting a personal record in the 100-meter with a time of 10.88, good enough for sixth place in the meet. He also ran his second best career time in the 200-meter, at 22.46 seconds, which earned him ninth place.
For his record-setting weekend, Mollick was selected as this week’s Athlete of the Week and answered some questions from The News-Letter.
The News-Letter: How were you able to perform so well and set a personal record at the Towson Invitational?
Alex Mollick: It all really boils down to the preparation both on and off the track. Coach Shedrick Elliott has been providing us with workouts to build our strength and endurance for the outdoor season. What we do off the track is equally as important, and I have been following a strict diet/sleep schedule, as well as seeing Sarah, our athletic trainer, to ensure my body can recover properly. Although I ran well, I feel like I haven’t hit my true potential yet.
N-L: How does the team feel after winning the meet, especially when you’re competing against Division I teams, and how does it affect the team’s confidence going forward?
AM: It felt great to win the meet and have the opportunity to contribute to the team’s success. The fact that we can compete with Division I teams validates the quality of the talent on our team and the work we put in on and off the track each week. We come ready to have fun, compete and most importantly succeed at a high level. The win definitely builds some momentum going forward, and I can’t wait to see how the team continues to improve.
N-L: What is the transition going from indoor track to outdoor track like?
AM: From a sprinter’s perspective the transition is interesting. In the shorter sprints, we go from running the 60-meter to the 100-meter. This requires a focus on speed endurance training to build strength for those last 40 meters. On the other hand, we gain a significant benefit in the 200-meter dash because the track is a half lap outdoors compared to a full lap indoors. We only deal with one curve as opposed to two creating a different race mentality. But one of the biggest benefits of going from winter to spring track are the awesome tan lines.
N-L: Looking forward on an individual level, how do you continue to improve as the season goes on?
AM: Diet and strength/conditioning have been the foundation for my success. I have maximized my power-to-weight ratio and this has been the major factor that has contributed to my performance. I plan on sticking to my sleep schedule, my own weight lifting program and Coach Shed’s endurance/conditioning process. Mindset is also crucial for success, and it’s very important to remember the “why” each day and to stay positive.
N-L: What are your personal goals this season?
AM: I have my sights set on nationals in the 100-meter, 4x100-meter and potentially the 200-meter if I’m able to consistently improve each meet. I’m currently No. 36 for DIII in the 100, and I plan on changing that at the home meet this Friday while also breaking the school record.
N-L: What are the team’s goals this season?
AM: I would say the team’s goals are to win Conference championships and send more athletes to nationals this year. There is so much talent on this team, and I’m excited to see how it all unfolds.
Mollick and the Blue Jays will be back in action with a busy weekend, starting at The Mount Multis Thursday and Friday. Hopkins will then host their one home meet of the year, the Hopkins/Loyola Invitational, on Friday. Their weekend will finish up with the Bucknell Bison Outdoor Classic on Saturday.
