DeKALB — The track and field team finished the indoor season with junior jumper Jehvania Whyte’s performance at the NCAA indoor championships March 10 in College Station, Texas. The Huskies then began preparing for the outdoor season, which will beginSaturday.

Head Coach Connie Teaberry said she was pleased with her team’s performance during the first half of the season.

“We had a lot of bright spots with our returning athletes as far as points on the board at conference and leading up to conference,” Teaberry said. “Capping it off with Jehvania making the NCAA. There were a lot of things we could’ve done differently but definitely a decent indoor season.”

Looking ahead to the outdoor season, the Huskies will be coming off a three-week break between competitive meets. Teaberry said the team used this opportunity to rest up in preparation of another season ahead of it.

“I think that break is very important, because the girls go so hard for so long [and] they need those breaks,” Teaberry said. “We can definitely tell that they have a bit of a spark back in their legs.”

The Huskies are hoping for nicer weather to prepare for the remaining outdoor meets. Teaberry said the weather in DeKalb can be a challenge to overcome.

“We have some events that we need to be able to practice outside, and we just can’t do it yet,” Teaberry said. “We’ll do what we can indoors and use the meet as a glorified outdoor practice.”

The team will be ditching the bus for a plane ride as the second half of the track season means a more distant travel schedule. The Huskies competed in most meets within Illinois or neighboring states during the indoor season. Now they will travel to warmer weather with stops in Arlington, Texas and Stanford, California. “We just have to focus and do what we have to do and don’t get distracted by anything,” Whyte said. “I really do see the talent, we’re not a big team, so just do what you have to do and we’ll be alright.”

Teaberry said the travel could be a factor in performance at the beginning of the season.

“This first meet will be a telltale sign on how they travel,” Teaberry said. “Flying can take a bigger toll on your body than riding on a bus.”

The Huskies look to start the outdoor season strong Saturday in Arlington, Texas.