Spotlight on Local College Athletes: Limbaugh Starts Strong Track Season
Taylor Limbaugh opened her Texas Tech University indoor track and field career with a strong start.
The Schulenburg High School graduate finished second in the 3,000-meter run at the Red Raider Open, the top freshman in the field of six.
She followed with a sixth place in the 3,000 at the Texas Tech Open, the second freshman among the 11 in the race.
“I was super excited,” she said. “I’ve never really raced the 3K indoor.”
Limbaugh used the cross country season to prepare for track and field. “Cross country builds a lot of strength. It is going up hills and on a lot of different terrain,” she said. “The more you run hills, it really helps build your form for track.”
Though she developed tendonitis in her ankle toward the end of the cross country season, she participated in four meets, including the conference cham pionship.
Among the Red Raiders, her highest finish was ninth in the Chile Pepper 5K, where she posted a career-best time.
“Cross country was definitely more of a learning season for me,” she said. “I am happy with how I ran. I wish my results were a little better.”
During the outdoor track season, she has been training for the 5K and the steeplechase. She asked the coach to try the steeplechase. “It always looked fun,” she said.
She said she practiced going over the water jump for the first time on March 15. “I’ve already gotten a lot better going over the barriers,” Limbaugh said.
Softball
Southwestern University freshman Erica Otto started in left field for a doubleheader against Case Western. The Schulenburg product had a one-run single in two at-bats during the first game and singled in three at-bats of the second game.
Women’s Outdoor Track & Field
Brenna Iannelli of Texas Lutheran University scored in the pole vault and 400 run at the Trinity Invitational. The La Grange High alumna set personal bests in each.
Men’s Basketball
Past Shorthorn Alex Lozano averaged 3.6 points and 1.8 rebounds in eight games for Victoria College. The freshman had season highs of 15 points and seven rebounds.
Men’s Indoor Track & Field
Former Leopard Anthony East III placed 25th in the 200 preliminaries at the National Junior College Athletic Association championship. The Jacksonville College freshman ran the anchor leg of the 4-by-400 relay that finished 14th in the finals.
Send updates about area athletes to Barbara Boxleitner at jdanddoc@gmail.com.