According to junior sprinter Dartagnan Suchar, one of track and field preseason meets at Youngstown (Ohio) State University benefited the team.

“A big atmosphere like Youngstown always benefits competitors for the regular season,” Suchar said.

“It is a large field of athletes with a bigger-than-average indoor track,” Suchar said.

“Preseason always brings out the best in athletes’ abilities.”

According to Suchar, Olympic athletes occasionally attend the preseason meets to work on their run times and their conditioning.

Preseason meets show a lot in understanding the ability of every track member on the team.

According to Suchar, there are big downfalls and big accomplishments during preseason.

“Not every day is a good day, but, when personal goals and accomplishments arise, it is only a challenge to top it again,” Suchar said.

“We always have top finishers at this meet, and our relay teams strive to put on a show and improve before the championship meet.”

Even with Mountain Cat members placing, like sophomore Jayshawn Whitfield placing seventh in the high and triple jumps, and junior Gus Yahner placing sixth in pole vault, Suchar said there is still more to work on for the team.

“Some things to work on, as always, is strength, conditioning and perfection,” Suchar said.

Not only does preseason competition help to decide what the team needs to improve on, it  also provides experience that each member needs before season begins.

According to junior distance runner Kyle Zenchak, the Youngstown Invitational was a great meet to gain experience.

“It is always good to compete against good teams and athletes,” Zenchak said

“Some of our athletes competed with and actually beat some Pitt athletes.”

The Mountain Cat track team is to be a team to beat this season.

Zenchak said the team is starting to give other competitors a scare.