The indoor track season is underway and the Cardinals are proving they are ready to compete with the best. This past Saturday, the Wesleyan track team held their first inaugural meet of the 2011-2012 season. The meet included Mount St. Mary College, Medgar Evers College, and the Community College of Rhode Island. Although it was a non-scoring meet, both the men’s and women’s teams delivered first-place performances.

The women’s team dominated in their season opener, winning seven of the eight events they entered. Sierra Livious ’14, who had a great freshman season, won both the 60m hurdles, with a time of :09.68, and the shot put with a toss of 36-2 3/4, and took third in the 200m race. Julia Frieze ’12 looks to have another strong season as well. She won the 400m race in a time of 1:02.13.

Many new faces on the track and field team also had a strong showing. Idara Foster ’15 won the 60m dash (:08.17), Ambrosia Smith ’15 won the 600m (1:49.13), and Heidi Hirvonen ’15 took home the win in the 200m (:28.13).

Although the Wesleyan men entered just seven of the 15 events sponsored during the meet, the men took top honors in four events. Alex Iwamoto ’12 captured the 200m race in :24.53 while Stephan Jordan ’14 won the weight throw (33-7 1/4). Two freshmen also came in first in their respective events: Luca Ameri in the 400m event (:52.9), and Tal Levran in the 600m race (1:28.66).

Both teams are looking forward to a successful 2011-2012 season. Up next for the squad is a visit to New York City on Saturday, Jan. 13 for the Gotham Cup at the Armory.