Track & Field: Princeton gears up for Heps

The Tigers finished second to Cornell at Heps two months ago and will look to move up one place and finish their season on a high note in the City of Brotherly Love.

“This meet is basically used as a tuneup for the Heps meet,” senior thrower Alex Pessala said. “It’s really not a meet that attracts a lot of competitors for each event. It’s not meant to be a competitive meet in the sense of having people there to push you. It’s more for the point of ironing out the kinks in your routine and getting a few throws in before Heps.”

As the Tigers have exhibited all season, their deep throwing team is a major asset heading into the Ivy championships. Princeton took first place in the weight throw and shot put during indoor Heps — the only two throwing events of the meet.

“The coaches don’t really expect to see a lot of personal records,” Pessala said. “It’s mainly a chance for everyone to get one more meet in and get ready for the Ivy championships.”

Pessala recognizes that he has become more motivated to do well this season.

“This year, the greatest improvement [has been] with my focus. I am stronger and faster, but the biggest difference has been with the focus,” Pessala said. “Just being able to prepare for the competition mentally and getting used to everything that happens in a track meet. Realizing that whatever happens, you need to keep going.”

“I’ve worked really hard with [head] coach [Fred] Samara on visualizing what I need to do and doing it,” Pessala added. “A lot of times, you have these really good throwers around you that psyche you out. I’ve really just worked on thinking about my throwing and not thinking about everyone else.”

Pessala also explained that the Tigers have a huge advantage against other Ivy League schools in the throwing events because of the tremendous depth on their roster.

And Princeton appears to be peaking at the right time. The team had more than 10 athletes record personal bests in the Princeton Elite Meet, held at Weaver Stadium last weekend.

For the Tigers, Heps will be an opportunity to show off what the squad can do, especially in the throwing events.

“As a team, we’re really peaking in May, and that’s what’s going to be important for winning the Ivy League Championships,” Pessala said. “No one cares how you did a month ago, it’s what your doing right now. As a team, I think we’re competing well right now, which is what you want to see heading into the Ivy championships.”

The results from the Broadmead Invitational were not released in time for today’s ‘Prince.’