WATERVILLE, Maine — Today marks the beginning of an exciting new season for NCAA Track and Field, and the spotlight is shining on Thomas College, where an incredible journey of determination has led to their remarkable rise in the world of collegiate athletics.
Thomas College's Track and Field team was merely a club with inexperienced runners and equipment that left much to be desired.
Head Coach Ian Wilson, who initially took the job as a part-time gig after coaching high school track, recalled, "When we first showed up at meets, I remember people saying, 'Who's Thomas?' and 'Where's Thomas?' We heard that a lot."
But the team's passion and determination far outweighed their lack of resources.
They trained tirelessly, transforming from a club into a Division III collegiate team, defying the odds and making a name for themselves in the world of collegiate athletics.
The team was the underdog in every competition, but they didn't let that stop them.
One of the major challenges faced by the Thomas College Track and Field team was the absence of an outdoor track facility. They trained indoors, come rain or shine, from October to April.
The weather might not have been on their side, but their unwavering commitment and perseverance carried them through.
"Raining, cold, gosh, everything bad with the weather, terrible, but we just persevered through that, and every odd was against us, and we defied that," LJ Raye, the team's captain, said.
Through years of hard work and a spirit that refused to accept defeat, the Thomas College Track and Field team has made an indelible mark in the NCAA Track and Field world.
As Head Coach Ian Wilson proudly declared, "Nobody is asking who Thomas is anymore." Wilson was recently named the 2023 Men's Track and Field Coach of the Year in the North Atlantic Conference.
"Now, I feel like we are no longer the underdog. We are making our name known," teammate Mary Disanto added.
As they kick off the new NCAA Track and Field indoor season, all eyes are on this remarkable team as they strive to bring home the winner's trophy once again.