The indoor track and field season is wrapping up, and with that comes the WAC Indoor Championships. After breaking a handful of school records during the indoor season, the team looks to build upon its success heading into the WAC Championships.

Mandie Maddux takes a warm up jump.

I expect us to be physically and mentally prepared for this,” said head coach Trisha Steidl. “We’re looking really good, really strong. Stronger than we did the year before.”

Seattle U has athletes ranked inside the top 10 in 17 total events, including the 400m dash for men and the 800m dash for men and women.

While winning the whole thing would be nice, the team is mostly focusing on their individual performances, as they get ready for the outdoor season.

“We’re looking for (personal records), looking to try to finish above where we’re ranked,” said assistant coach Chad Pharis.

Shaddye Melu makes an attempt at 6’4″.

Shaddye Melu is an athlete to keep your eyes on during this event. Melu is looking to defend his high jump title from last year, which ended with him breaking the Seattle U record. Currently he is ranked No. 1 in the WAC and No. 56 nationally in the high jump event.

Another athlete to be on the lookout for is Mandie Maddux. Maddux set several personal records this year, as well as setting the school record for shot put with a distance of 11.91 meters (39’ 1”). Maddux will also be the lone Redhawk competing in the pentathlon, where she is ranked No. 1 in the WAC. Last season, Maddux finished second in the pentathlon at the WAC Indoor Championships.

Maddux will be the first athlete to compete for Seattle U, competing in the pentathlon on Thursday, with the rest of the student athletes competing on Friday and Saturday.

After the indoor championships, the team will get nearly three weeks off before kicking off the outdoor season on March 18 at the Lewis & Clark Spring Break Open.

AJ may be reached at [email protected]