Midway through the season, the track team is facing a disappointing year, but not because of its performance.

The team was unable to compete in two events last weekend due to inclement weather. Icy roads forced a cancelation of the Alabama A&M Invite March 6, and due to lack of teams participating, the University of Alabama-Huntsville Invitational was canceled March 7.

“This weather has just been awful for us,” said head coach Scott Trimble. “Because of it, we’re way behind with what we can do. What can we do, but roll with it, though?”

Junior runner Olivia Brady said the weather has not only affected the meets but the practices as well.

“It has made it almost twice as difficult in practice,” she said. “Since the roads are still icy, we have to worry about slipping and falling. We just have to gut it out.”

Trimble said he is happy to see the way his team is handling the weather conditions.

“They hate running on the treadmill, so they choose to run outside,” he said. “It makes me look like I’m a bad coach, but they want to do it. They’re a lot tougher than their coach.”

The Lions competed in three events – the University of Alabama-Birmingham Vulcan Invitational, Tiger Invitational and Sewanee Invitational – all three indoor complexes.

“I was so pleased with them last week at Sewanee,” Trimble said. “They all special in one event so they can concentrate on one thing. And running distance is our strongest area on the team.”

Brady said considering the weather conditions, the team has done phenomenally and looks forward to the upcoming meets.

“We have some good meets coming up with better competition,” she said. “There’s going to be a lot of D-I schools competing, which will push us to run faster. These events will make it a lot easier for us to improve.”

Brady said she is looking to break her personal best in the 5K.

The team travels to Jacksonville State University March 14 for the Jacksonville State Quad Meet.

“This meet will be great to see where we are and where we need to improve,” Trimble said. “I just hope it’s warm and the sun is shinning because that’s a victory itself.”

Trimble said he could not be more proud of the way his team is performing this year and says they never back down from a challenge.

“I’ve been coaching for a very long time and this is 14 of the best girls I’ve ever coach,” he said. “I’m extremely blessed.”

The Lions have the Falcon Classic March 21 in Montevallo, the Mississippi College Invitational in Clinton, Mississippi April 3 and wrap up the season in the Mt. Laurel Invitational April 17 in Sewanee, Tennessee.