By: Bethany Vonseggern
The Track and Field team ran, jumped and threw the distance where it counted making remarkable first season triumphs.
As a new team there were a few struggles in the beginning, but head coach Marc Bierbaum has seen the team take incredible strides to become a solid unit.
“All in all, in the end, things have started to come together,” Bierbaum said. “Kids have bought into what we are doing and you see the successes coming through on the track.”
According to Bierbaum the tenacity of his team throughout the season, especially at nationals, was exceptional to witness. The MIAA Conference was the most represented conference at nationals, which is one of the toughest D2 track conferences in the nation. Bierbaum was proud to see freshman make the finals during the meet.
Bierbaum believes as the program grows and students become upperclassmen, the seasons will only get better. He said the students’ experience of being on campus, using the GISC and understanding time management will be helpful in guiding new team members.
Overall, Bierbaum believes that this program is not only helping the university, but it is helping the local running community. He hopes that their influence can help the St. Joseph high school and junior high track programs grow stronger.
After leading the Track and Field and Cross Country teams through their first season, Bierbaum resigned from Western in the summer of 2018.
