Kansas State University Athletics
SE: Ferguson’s Fast Start Sparks K-State Track & Field
Dec 15, 2020 | Track & Field, Sports Extra
By: Austin Siegel
Alex Ferguson has been around long enough to know the rhythms of K-State Track & Field.
Even in a season with COVID-19 precautions, the first indoor meet of the year usually isn't packed with spectators.
"All the energy has to come from yourself," Ferguson said.
But at the K-State Winter Invite earlier this month, another COVID-19 wrinkle emerged during the 4x400m relay: Ferguson didn't know the Wildcats she was running with in the event.
With over 100 athletes on the K-State Track & Field team, practice at Ahearn Field House has been held in smaller groups this season, without opportunities to meet new teammates.
Even the ones Ferguson would be competing with in the 4x400m relay.
"That was kind of a bummer," she said. "You want to get to know your teammates on a personal level and you can't always do that. That's been kind of sad this year but hopefully as the season goes on, we get to meet more of them and figure out who they are."
Unlike many members of the K-State Track & Field team, Ferguson didn't arrive in Manhattan from across the country or the four other continents represented on the roster.
She's from right down the road in Topeka.
But the challenges of 2020 have always been present, as Ferguson looks to build on a K-State career that last saw her standing on the podium at the Big 12 Indoor Championships.
Without a spring season due to COVID-19, Ferguson returned home to keep running and prepare for a return to the track nine months in the making.
"Practices are tough most of the time, so doing it without the encouragement of your teammates is difficult," she said. "Jaybe Shufelberger lives in Topeka so we got together, but normally my Mom would just come bike with me if it was early enough. That was kind of my whole summer."
With workouts provided by Ryun Godfrey, Ferguson was able to focus on putting in miles in around Topeka instead of coming up with a training schedule herself.
That consistency was important in a sport where extended breaks are pretty much out of the question.
Even as Ferguson mixed in cycling and beach volleyball - "I don't know if that helps me stay in shape, but it's one of my favorite things to do in the summer" - her focus was on preparing for the upcoming indoor season at K-State.
Ferguson has made her mark with the Wildcats competing right on the border between sprints and distance running. Returning to competition this month was a much-needed finish line.
"Races give you a chance to gauge how things have been going," Ferguson said. "You feel like you're in a lull. 'Is my practice paying off? Am I putting in the work that I need to?' That's one of the toughest things about not racing."
At the K-State Winter Invite, Ferguson didn't need much time to answer those questions.
1:23.55 in the 600-Yards and 3:49.32 in the 4x400m relay, to be exact.
Kicking off the indoor season with a pair of victories, Ferguson's first meet of the season was even more impressive in the unusual setting: a meet with no fans or teammates.
"I know a lot of people stayed in the gym area," she said. "There was only one event between the ones that I did, and I was pretty tired, so I just kind of sat there."
Relay teams and event schedules could change throughout the season, but Ferguson is looking forward to building off her success in the 800m and 400m events next month.
With a packed indoor schedule awaiting her and the rest of the Wildcats after the holidays, it's a chance for Ferguson to get to know her teammates and get back to more of a normal season.
"We can have fun bus trips again. Before this, I would never had said the bus trips were fun, but it's something I miss," Ferguson said. "This year, I didn't always know what we were doing. Just running, sitting at home and going to classes. Now we have something to look forward to."
Alex Ferguson has been around long enough to know the rhythms of K-State Track & Field.
Even in a season with COVID-19 precautions, the first indoor meet of the year usually isn't packed with spectators.
"All the energy has to come from yourself," Ferguson said.
But at the K-State Winter Invite earlier this month, another COVID-19 wrinkle emerged during the 4x400m relay: Ferguson didn't know the Wildcats she was running with in the event.
With over 100 athletes on the K-State Track & Field team, practice at Ahearn Field House has been held in smaller groups this season, without opportunities to meet new teammates.
Even the ones Ferguson would be competing with in the 4x400m relay.
"That was kind of a bummer," she said. "You want to get to know your teammates on a personal level and you can't always do that. That's been kind of sad this year but hopefully as the season goes on, we get to meet more of them and figure out who they are."
Unlike many members of the K-State Track & Field team, Ferguson didn't arrive in Manhattan from across the country or the four other continents represented on the roster.
She's from right down the road in Topeka.
But the challenges of 2020 have always been present, as Ferguson looks to build on a K-State career that last saw her standing on the podium at the Big 12 Indoor Championships.
Without a spring season due to COVID-19, Ferguson returned home to keep running and prepare for a return to the track nine months in the making.
"Practices are tough most of the time, so doing it without the encouragement of your teammates is difficult," she said. "Jaybe Shufelberger lives in Topeka so we got together, but normally my Mom would just come bike with me if it was early enough. That was kind of my whole summer."
With workouts provided by Ryun Godfrey, Ferguson was able to focus on putting in miles in around Topeka instead of coming up with a training schedule herself.
That consistency was important in a sport where extended breaks are pretty much out of the question.
Even as Ferguson mixed in cycling and beach volleyball - "I don't know if that helps me stay in shape, but it's one of my favorite things to do in the summer" - her focus was on preparing for the upcoming indoor season at K-State.
Ferguson has made her mark with the Wildcats competing right on the border between sprints and distance running. Returning to competition this month was a much-needed finish line.
"Races give you a chance to gauge how things have been going," Ferguson said. "You feel like you're in a lull. 'Is my practice paying off? Am I putting in the work that I need to?' That's one of the toughest things about not racing."
At the K-State Winter Invite, Ferguson didn't need much time to answer those questions.
1:23.55 in the 600-Yards and 3:49.32 in the 4x400m relay, to be exact.
Kicking off the indoor season with a pair of victories, Ferguson's first meet of the season was even more impressive in the unusual setting: a meet with no fans or teammates.
"I know a lot of people stayed in the gym area," she said. "There was only one event between the ones that I did, and I was pretty tired, so I just kind of sat there."
Relay teams and event schedules could change throughout the season, but Ferguson is looking forward to building off her success in the 800m and 400m events next month.
With a packed indoor schedule awaiting her and the rest of the Wildcats after the holidays, it's a chance for Ferguson to get to know her teammates and get back to more of a normal season.
"We can have fun bus trips again. Before this, I would never had said the bus trips were fun, but it's something I miss," Ferguson said. "This year, I didn't always know what we were doing. Just running, sitting at home and going to classes. Now we have something to look forward to."
Players Mentioned
/ Track & Field
/ Track & Field
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