Sioux City natives return to run in Sioux City Relays
Two Sioux City natives are looking forward to returning to participate in the Sioux City Relays this weekend.
Both athletes previously ran at Elwood Olsen Stadium at Morningside College throughout their high school careers. Senior distance runner Lindsay Joyce said it’s like going home for her.
“It really is (like coming home) when like we pull in and I’m like ‘yep this is where we would park in high school and like this is where our team camp would be in high school’ and so I know Olsen Stadium so well,” Joyce said.
Olsen also said it’s easier than competing at larger meets because she knows exactly where to go.
“Sometimes when we go to those bigger meets it gets a little nerve-wracking like, ‘where do I warm up?’ versus ‘where do I check in?’ but I know this like the back of my hand here, so that makes it a little bit easier for me at least.” Joyce said.
Joyce said preparing for the Sioux City Relays isn’t much different than other competitions, but she finds it more enjoyable than others.
“Preparation-wise, it’s pretty much the same; you want to go out there and compete, and usually our coach says when you compete, then the times will come,” she said. “This one is always just fun for me because I raced there every Thursday in high school, so mentally it’s more low-key because I’m so familiar with the scenery.”
Freshman hurdler Noah Weeter believes that previously running in the relays and having more support will be an advantage.
“I think being at a venue that I’m familiar with is definitely something I can take an advantage of, and I’ll have a lot of family there and my former high school will be running at the same time that I’ll be there so… I have a lot of people supporting me, so it’s really cool.” Weeter said.
Joyce will also have much of her family at the relays to support her and she said it makes this meet more exciting.
“It’s a lot of fun going home because my family has to travel 10 minutes instead of sometimes two hours to watch me race, so I get to have all my family there,” Joyce said.
Going home also gives a chance to reconnect with their high schools, which will both be at the meet this weekend. Joyce said she hopes to be an “inspiration” for those still in high school, while Weeter said he wants to set an example of how his work as a track athlete in high school has lead him to the collegiate level.
“I want to change the culture of how my high school’s been.” Weeter said. “Track hasn’t always been a big sport (at North High School), but I want people to see that I worked hard in order to kind of get where I am.”
