The Wildcats will seek redemption Saturday as they return to competition in a dual meet against the University of Iowa.
Despite having suffered a sizable loss to Michigan and Notre Dame just two weeks ago, Northwestern is armed and ready to show its Big Ten competition it’s up for the challenge. Weeks of practices and team meetings with coach Jimmy Tierney have prepared the team for what is sure to be a competitive dual meet.
“All week Jimmy has told us that we have to push it and work hard because they are not going to make it easy for us,” freshman Ellen Anderson said.
Stakes are high for the Hawkeyes as they look to make this meet their fifth straight dual victory (they are currently 5-1 in dual meets). However, stakes are arguably higher for the Cats, who still have a lot to prove.
At the Iowa Invitational earlier this season, NU finished fourth overall and was out-touched by the third place Hawkeyes in several events. As the team continues to prepare for Saturday, the loss still stings.
Despite ultimately losing at that meet, freshman Karen Turner and senior Taylor Reynolds both collected NCAA ‘B’ provisional qualifying times, fueling Tierney’s belief that his team has the ability to excel in Iowa City.
The Cats have had two weeks to shake off the remainder of their winter break rust and strengthen their race finishes, which will ideally eliminate any post-meet frustration after being out-touched in multiple races.
“It’s going to come down to who can get their hand on the wall first. It doesn’t matter if it’s first or fourth, every point will count, so it’s important to win those close races,” junior Jackie Powell said. Powell recently returned from injury, and Tierney said he expects her to make significant contributions for the Cats against the Hawkeyes. But it will take more than an individual to propel NU to victory.
“As a whole, we want to feel like we’ve stepped up the level of performance, and, if anything, I want to see their spirit and their excitement build to the point where they can’t wait to get to Big Tens. I think performance and spirit goes hand in hand,” Tierney said.
But for the Cats, spirit will not be lacking.
“Everyone is pumped up to see what we can do,” Powell said.
