Greenville Women's Track and Field Favorites
Greenville University received 49 points and seven first-place votes and is the preseason favorite in St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Women's Track and Field. The Panthers are the two-time defending champions, sweeping both indoor and outdoor titles. When talking about the Panther program one must begin with senior Cayden Sharp, the most decorated athlete in conference history with 32 medals and four Athlete of the Year awards during her career. Sharp will once again compete in several events and look to defend her six individual golds from last year. Tawny Rodriguez, who was Co-Outdoor Field Athlete of the Year and Indoor Field Athlete of the Year last season is a five-time All-Conference performer and is the conference record holder in the discus. Olivia Mansfield will be competing in the middle distance events while Gretchen Carie is back as the SLIAC steeplechase champion and Alexa Seger will compete in sprints. Top newcomers for head coach Brian Patton include Laila Graham, Brooklyn McKee, and Lainey Hicks.
Webster University picked up 43 points and one first-place nod. No team information was provided.
Coming in 3rd on the poll is Principia College with 37 total points. The Panthers are coached by Nick Barron and will be focused on distance events. Team captain Geena Richards is a three-time All-Conference performer. She will be joined by Laura Mayo and Kyrstyn Cieply. The program will have to replace Abby Holt and Emme Schaefer who combined for seven individual golds during their careers. New to the program are Sarah Erickson, who will compete in distance events after a strong cross-country season, as well as Ariana Williams (high jump) and Mirsa Boyer (sprints).
Fontbonne University tallied 30 points on the poll. The Griffins will look to build on strong showings last year where four athletes scored points in events. Holly Pearce is the team's top thrower after earning All-Conference honors in each of the last two years during the indoor season. Ogechi Okpara joins her on throws. Madelyn Huffstetter is a five-time All-Conference athlete and is the program record holder in the 60 meters while Alex Lofgren earned All-Conference honors during both the indoor and outdoor seasons last year. Head Coach Phillip Halley brings in Jessica Ballard to boost up the throwing squad.
Placing 5th on the poll is Westminster College with 22 points. No team information was provided.
Eureka College comes in at 6th with 19 points. No team information was provided.
Spalding University totaled 15 points on the poll. No team information was provided.
Blackburn College received 9 points from the coaches. Blackburn is bringing back track and field after a 30-year absence and will be coached by Al Sturgeon. Olivia Leemon and Keeleigh Pilcher will be joining from the Beavers cross-country program. Leemon, a sophomore, will be competing in the mile while Pilcher, a sophomore, will compete in the 800-meter race. Also joining the team is senior Autumn Wilson, who comes over from volleyball. Wilson will join the field in the 400-meter race. Additional athletes joining the program for the outdoor season will be Liz Morris and Sarah Olson.
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