While trying to "take it easy," the Saint Mary's indoor track team managed to break school records routinely.

The Belles competed in two meets so far and have broken seven records for indoor track and field.

"We started a little earlier with our interval work and our field work," head coach Larry Szczechowski said. "It's really paid off."

Saint Mary's typically uses the indoor season as a way to prepare for the outdoor season, which begins in March. It also gives the team an opportunity to evaluate where it stands competitively.

In its first meet at Lewis University on Feb. 5, the team finished seventh out of 10 teams. Although they brought a sparse team to the meet, four records were shattered.

Sophomore Erica Burkett broke the record in the 200-m hurdles with a time of 32.63 seconds. She also took the indoor triple jump record with a jump of 33-feet, 6.5 inches.

Freshman Lauren Brown set a new record in the shot-put and sophomore Kara Harms in the 20-pound weight throw.

"The women are having fun and improving on what they are doing," Szczechowski said. "They can see themselves getting better."

The Belles competed at the University of Chicago on Saturday against top Division III teams, including Ohio Northern University, North Central College and Wisconsin Whitewater.

Although no team scores were recorded, more records were set. Burkett set the record for the 55-meter hurdles. Brown reset her shot-put record, and Harms set a new mark in the 20-pound throw.

The Belles travel to Hunington College next Saturday for their last indoor meet. The outdoor season begins on March 25 at Goshen College and MIAA Conference competition begins on April 1 at Hope College.

"When [indoor season] is over, we'll seriously get back to work," Szczechowski said. "We'll have more than a month to prepare."

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