Elese LesbackExcitement is palpable on and off the field for the Athletics, Physical Education, and Recreation (APER) department as they prepare for the upcoming spring season, which will include tennis, swimming, crew, and the first Mills track and field team in years.
“We’re expecting a busy spring season. We’re all set to provide a great experience for student athletes so we’re definitely excited,” said Themy Adachi, director of athletics.
While others have just begun to train, the swim team is wrapping up their winter season after returning on Jan. 20 from a successful trip to Los Angeles to swim against Soka and Chapman Universities.
“Considering we were on break for a while and people have different forms of access to facilities, it was hard to come back, turn around and immediately race,” said Swim Coach Neil Virtue. “But it’s been a
good season so far.”
The track and field team had their first practice last Wednesday, where athletes got a taste of the events.
“It never made sense to me that we didn’t have a track and field because a track team and a cross country team usually go hand in hand,” said Head Coach Laura Davis, who also coaches cross country.
“We talked about just focusing on running for track and field but there was so much interest in other areas that it had grown into this complete, full blown track program,” said Davis.
The program will also include the addition of two coaches – throw specialist Winston Wong, and high school track coach Herb Jones, who will be assisting with the sprints, jumps, and hurdles events. The first meet takes place at Skyline High School this Saturday at 11 a.m., where newcomers are encouraged to participate.
Crew, which has had one of its largest turn out for the spring season yet, will be having their first regatta against Chapman University on March 1st at Newport Beach. Tennis, which has the addition of Christine Suard as assistant coach, will be having their first game on Feb. 5, against
Dominican University in San Rafael.
Intramural games and leagues will also be back again this semester with an Ultimate Frisbee clinic planned, as well as a basketball league and a number of different dance classes to take place on Sunday afternoons.
