Breaking new ground is one thing, but making history is another.
Florida Atlantic University did both by hosting its first meet at the new track and field complex on March 15.
“Everybody’s excited and we want to come out and do well to represent the university,” said Owls assistant track and field coach Owen McGregor. “We want to let everybody know that there is a team here, a very competitive structure that the FAU community and student body can come out and see.”
Leading the way for the Owls will be senior Yanique Booth who has set personal bests throughout this track season. Booth was named Sun Belt Conference runner of the week running a school record of 8.40 seconds in the 60-meter hurdles at Louisiana State’s Purple Tiger Indoor meet. This was the second consecutive time Booth provisionally qualified for the NCAA Indoor National Championships.
McGregor is very pleased with Booth’s progression as a runner and thinks she has the potential to go far in her track and field career.
“I really feel like Yanique Booth is an Olympic hopeful,” said McGregor. “This is her year. I felt like it’s just going to be a wonderful year for her. Right now I felt like she’s one of the top athletes I have on the team.”
“He motivates me on how to be successful,” said Booth. “I’m not there yet, but I’m kind of pleased with my performance so far.”
Booth also recorded two second-place finishes in the 55-meter dash and 55-meter hurdles in the Sun Belt Conference Indoor Championships. Her time of 6.92 seconds was a school record and qualified her for the NCAA provisionals.
Still, Booth sets herself at a high standard. Her recent success sets an example for her teammates to follow.
“I try to put my best foot forward and hopefully they’re going to follow in my footsteps,” said Booth. “I just tell them to have a positive frame of mind. Believe in yourself. You can’t do well if your mind is not right.”
The Owls first meet at home was a historic one not only for track and field, but for FAU athletics as a whole. Booth is very confident that her teammates will be ready to give the FAU fans and community a day to remember.
“I think the girls are ready. We’ve been running personal bests,” said Booth. “I think when we come out here we’re going to put on a show. It’s just up to the girls to have a positive frame of mind.”
Time after time she and the team have dealt with traveling and performing on someone else’s track. After three years as an Owl, Booth is really excited for the team and the university as they can now host meets at their own home.
“I’m thrilled to know that we finally have our home meet. We have a surface for ourselves,” said Booth. “We have to come out and show what we’re made of and let everyone know that the FAU track team has arrived. This way the community can know that we have a track team that is rising.”
The recognition bestowed upon FAU resulting from the Owls football team and the 2008 Republican presidential primary debate is what Booth wants for the track team.
“First of all I just want everyone in the community to come out and see the track team,” said Booth. “They don’t know about the track team yet, so I want them to see what we’re made of.”
