Season Preview: Women’s Track and Field is Motivated to Compete in 2023-24

11/30/2023 5:02:00 PM | Track and Field, Women's Track and Field

BETHLEHEM, Pa. - The Lehigh women's track and field team opens the 2023-24 indoor season this weekend as the Mountain Hawks host the Mountain Hawk Opener at Rauch Fieldhouse.

With 17 first-years slated to compete and a plethora of exceptional returners opening up the 2023 indoor track and field season this weekend, head coach Khayla Atte identified discipline, talent and competitiveness as common themes for this years' squad.

"We are learning how to shape our discipline in order to put ourselves in a place where we get the outcomes we want by looking at the 'why' and being intentional with what we do day-to-day," said Atte.

Coming off fifth-place finishes in both the Patriot League outdoor and indoor championships last year, decorated upperclassmen return with unfinished business as many promising newcomers look to establish themselves in their collegiate careers. One relay team and two individuals earned spots on the podium in last year's indoor championships, as 13 female student-athletes contributed to the fifth-place finish.

Multis
Women's multis are highlighted by two newcomers in first-years Emma Sanford and Corinn Brewer. Sanford will open this weekend in some events that are important for the pentathlon next weekend.

Pole Vault
NCAA First Round qualifier Laura Reigle returns to push her marks in the pole vault. Reigle is joined by multiple returners including junior Randi Conroy who earned 11th place at last year's indoor championships with a height of 3.55m. Conroy climbed to a PR of 3.70m in the pole vault during the outdoor season.

Jumps
Senior Nina Cialone and junior Casey Talamini-Keleman were identified by Atte as having great consistency and leadership in the long and triple jump groups. "Nina and Casey seem to like to break the same record, at the same time, at the same meet. We are really excited to see the long and triple jumpers move themselves to the next level in training."

Junior Keisha Modi returns following an 11th place finish at the outdoor championships last season (5.45m). Associate head coach Brooke Astor identified fellow junior Lilian Mauger as a dual threat, competing in sprints and long jump. "Lily is a good anchor on what it means to be disciplined by being present and doing what is necessary," said Atte.

In the high jump, senior Kerry Perna finished 10th (1.63m) at outdoor and 13th (1.55m) at indoor championships last season.

Throws
Senior Karina Roze, sophomores Jennifer Whipple and Grace Aggen along with first-year Avery Dowkus will compete in the throws this season. Roze recorded a 16th place finish in the weight throw with a PR of 14.76m at the indoor championships last season. Atte highlighted the competition between the student-athletes that leads them to push one another. "We're excited to see what they do because they feed off each other's energy," she said.

Hurdles/Sprints
With one true hurdler, Astor stated hurdles will be piecing together athletes from other events within sprint and middle distance along with one long-jumper. "We'll rely on the multi-event females to hurdle, especially in the dual meets," Astor said.

Plenty of newcomers will debut in the sprints, along with depth among key returners, Senior Ashley Struck has three school records in the 4x100, 200m and 400m. "Ashley is very disciplined. Astor outlined the sprinters as a group with plenty of depth. "There really is no name in the sprints group that hasn't risen to the occasion or continues to rise," said Astor. "The workouts have been amazing so far."

Atte highlighted how the women's sprint and middle distance are competitors and thrive in that environment. "The women's sprint and middle distance bring a special energy to the team." The long list of key returners includes Struck, Mauger, graduate students Ashley Griesgmeyer and Chae Kim, along with Simone Davey, Svea Wicklegren, Stephanie Webb, Gianna Mangili and Grace Kennedy.

Middle Distance/Distance
Astor outlined that many athletes across the team are debuting in new events or with new equipment weights and heights, including 2023 Patriot League Champion and school record holder in the 800m Abby Klebe who is opening with the 400m this weekend.

Distance runners senior Christina Yakaboski and sophomore Lucy Afanasewicz enter the indoor season after guiding the women's cross country team to a 12th place finish at NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regionals.

"We are as disciplined as we are because we are motivated to compete, period. They are competitors in their heart no matter what," said Atte.

Mountain Hawk Season Opener
Lehigh welcomes Alvernia, Delaware Valley, Delaware State, DeSales, FDU, Kutztown, West Chester, Moravian and Muhlenberg Dec. 1-2 for an unscored meet. The season-opening meet begins at 5 p.m. on Friday with men's and women's long jump and weight throw. Men's pole vault will also compete.

On Saturday, the women's triple jump and shot put follow the men's which begin at 10 a.m. Women's high jump follows the men's at 11 a.m. along with women's pole vault also starting at 11 a.m. At noon, the women open on the track with the 60M hurdles, concluding the meet at 4:05 p.m. with the 4x400 relay.

Complete meet information can be found here. Live results for this weekend's meet can be found on MitchellTiming.com.