After competing in seven indoor meets, Pitt-Johnstown’s track team started their outdoor season Saturday at Juanita College (Huntingdon, Pa).

Team members  started to practice outside.

Freshman distance runner James Horwat said that it feels great to be outside.

“I love the feeling of being able to stride out completely,” said Horwat.

“I think indoor was something new for a lot of the team, so outdoor was going to feel a lot more comfortable for everyone.”

Along with being outside, runners have encountered new obstacles.

Freshman hurdler Dominique Jefferson said it’s only difficult getting used to the fact that the team is unable to predict the weather.

“Besides having to worrying about the weather, I feel that we are a lot more conditioned and ready for the outdoor meets because we had all indoor season to prepare. Now we can perfect our techniques,” said Jefferson.

Jefferson said that outdoor meets are faster and, on beautiful days, personal and school records can be shattered.

Freshman distance runner Kyle Zenchak said that it’s always better competing outdoors.

“Practicing outdoors shows more improvement with our entire training regime; it’s designed for us to peak at the conference championships,” said Zenchak.

“I am starting to see times drop and distances get further.”