Camel hurdles over record

Millersville freshman Ari Camel (Gettysburg HS) is already making her mark at the collegiate level.

Camel is competing in indoor track for the first time and is seemingly making a smooth transition.

In just the fourth meet of her college career, Camel broke the schools indoor 60 meter hurdles record.

On the first day of the Bison Open up at Bucknell, Camel ran a 8.97 which broke the school record by over half a second.

"I wasn't really excited or anything," Camel said. "For some reason I was really calm. Then all of the sudden everyone ran up to me and told me I ran a school record and ran a really great time but all I was thinking about was that I was .07 away from an NCAA provisional time."

Camel will have a chance to get that time this weekend in the PSAC Championships in Lewisburg, PA but so far this season, she has left a lasting impression on head coach Andy Young.

"She has exceeded our expectations a little bit," Young said. "Having never run indoor before and dealing with a hip thing. We hoped we could get her strong enough to survive two seasons (indoor and outdoor). She has really worked hard at it and that's been a really nice thing."

Young was not the only one with exceeded expectations. Camel has surprised herself.

"I really didn't anticipate this," she said. "I was looking forward to being in a new atmosphere. I really wasn't expecting anything big. I was just expecting to work on the little things and the little things we worked on seem to be making a difference now.

Camel credits much of her success so far this season to the teams off season weight lifting program.

"I have a lot quicker feet," she said. "My flexibility is different, and I am getting off the blocks much better."

Camel also competes in the high jump for Millersville and has jumped a team-high 1.62 meters.

The only thing left from Camel is her performance this weekend.

"Realizing how close I am really gets me pumped for this weekend."