With strong returners and newcomers on both sides, the Monmouth College men’s and women’s track teams have expectations of each taking home the MWC Indoor and Outdoor titles.
The men feature strong returners in every event this season. For the sprints, seniors Stone Darrow and Lucas Sondgeroth will look to score high at the conference meet. The two seniors, along with Zach Vancil, Alex Brock, and Alex Cutright, should also provide a boost in the relay events. On the distance side, the Scots will benefit from a group of runners who finished second this fall at the conference cross country meet. All-conference runners Griff Morrill, Riley Dulin, and Tanner Heiple, should place well in anything ranging from 800-5000 meters. The Scots should also be strong in the field this season, with All-American Joe Krall and all-conference performer Drew Thaxton leading the way in the throws. In the jumps, Darius Williams and Austin Pfau return after earning all-conference honors last season. With the vast returning depth coupled with numerous key newcomers including: Gavin Conway, Reed Bona, Nick Obsaint, and Reed Wilson, the men will contend for conference champions in virtually every event.
The women should also have optimism when it comes to winning the indoor crown for the first time since 2014. Standout sprinter Jordan Peckham will lead the way in the shorter distances. Peckham, along with returners Kenzie Baker and Vanessa Caldwell, will look to reclaim their conference title last year in the 4x2 and 4x4 relays. In the distance events, four all-conference Scots from cross country: Ezzie Baltierra-Chavez, Caroline Young, Mik Moore, and Arika Hofmann, will be in contention for the conference title in numerous distance events. In the field, throwers Leigha Sebben, Hannah McVey, and Megan Gilstrap will all be key contributors. In the jumps, senior Aleeka Gentzler will look to reclaim her indoor high jump title from last year.
The Scots have several indoor competitions before the Midwest Conference Championships, which will be held February 28-29 at Grinnell College in Grinnell, Iowa.
Riley Dulin - Sports Editor
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