Reflection on 2020 Season, by Grace Dwyer

A couple days after the close of indoor season we met as a team and discussed the season and what we were going to go to be more competitive at, and leading up to, outdoor conference. Strengths and weaknesses showed during indoor, we recognized those and strategized. I'm confident that everyone was ready to buckle down and focus on outdoor so we could come together and maximize in the best way possible in May. We were on the same page about that. We were motivated and excited.

For a while, losing outdoor track was not on the horizon whatsoever. But from learning new information, not just from how other universities were taking action, but from how the whole globe was being affected, there was a greater sense of uncertainty every day.

Hearing that outdoor season was officially canceled is probably one of those things where I will always remember where I was when I heard the news. I think the rest of the distance girls would say the same.

We had a team meeting scheduled that day to discuss the multitude of new changes that were already taking place. On the left side of a white board we had a plan to continue to train for track. On the right side of the board we had plans for cross country. In the middle of this discussion, another coach came in and shared the news with us. We knew that the likelihood of having a track season wasn't great. This hurts everyone for various reasons but it is a complicated emotion because it is necessary.

As a track team, we are trying our best to stay connected, take care of ourselves, and take care of each other. Our coaches stressed the importance of holding ourselves and each other accountable now that we're forced to spend so much time apart and alone. A big part of our focus is on taking care of school, and sticking to a normal schedule or routine as much as possible.

On the women's distance side, we're constantly communicating. Again we're focusing on staying in a good groove and keeping up with each other. Something new we have started is virtually meeting once a week. Just like a face-to-face team meeting, you leave inspired and reminded that you are part of a team. I can already tell that we will come together again even stronger when the time comes- hungry and without missing a beat.