Story by Taylor Soule

Junior Brogan Austin and freshman Taylor Scholl led Drake track and field at the Frank Sevigne Husker Invitational on Saturday in Lincoln, Neb.

Austin finished second in the mile to cap day two of the meet hosted by Nebraska University. After battling anemia throughout the 2012 cross country campaign, Austin welcomed a new year, new health and new opportunities on the track.

“I am finally healthy,” Austin said. “I’ve been hitting some good workouts, and I’m excited.”

He finished the mile with a time of four minutes, 13.36 seconds on Saturday. Fifth-year senior Charlie Lapham crossed the line 0.06 seconds later to take third.

In Drake women’s action, Scholl clocked 5:09.32 in the mile to claim fifth place.

The Drake women welcomed 15 freshmen this season, while the Drake men welcomed nine. Though the transition to Division I competition heralds a host of challenges, the Bulldog newcomers adjusted immediately. Junior sprinter Brett Wright understands the challenges associated with that transition.

“Adjusting when you’re young can be tough,” Wright said. “There’s going to be more training than you’re used to from high school, and running indoors can be a little more taxing on the body, but we really haven’t had many injuries so far, and all of the freshmen are keeping up. They’re running great.”

With just four meets complete, the Bulldogs have high expectations for the remainder of the 2013 campaign.

“Team morale is high, and I think, when you have that atmosphere among the team as a whole, you want to keep working hard and do well,” Wright said.

The Bulldogs are back in action at the Iowa State Classic on Friday and Saturday in Ames. The competition starts at 10 a.m. on Friday and 8 a.m. on Saturday.