MANSFIELD, Pa.- The Mansfield University Track and Field team is set to open their season with a mix of hungry returners and talented newcomers as they travel to Cornell University for the Greg Page Relays on Saturday Dec. 3.

"I got a very close chance to see the steps we needed to improve on in the indoor season last year," new assistant coach (and former athlete) Donoven Cook said about this group, "with last year being a lot of their first years doing indoor track for Mansfield, we know where to improve. "

Cook became assistant coach after finishing out his career last May. Head Cross Country coach Mike Rohl will return to head up the distance crew that is poised to surprise.

SPRINTS
Senior Sean Ringgold returns for his final Mansfield indoor season. Ringgold finished fourth in both the 200- and 400-meter dashes last indoor season. Ringgold has also been a tremendous mentor for the young group.

"You have a champion," Cook stated about Ringgold's leadership, "he can lead everyone in the right direction."

Sophomore Skylar Brown is also another standout returner after her breakout outdoor season, but Cook has seen even more of a surge from Brown.

"It's hard to say she shocked me but Skylar, improved heavily over the summer. She's finished 2^nd (Outdoor) and I can see she has a hunger to win."

Sophomore Jackson Doughty has stood out to Cook as one of the major standouts.

"Jackson has improved a lot. Last year he had an injury and I could see that he took that year personally. He looks healthy, he looks fast, I'm excited to see what he can do."

Island Blanche returns healthy after battling injury last indoor season and being part of a record setting 4x100 team during the outdoor season.
Other returners include, seniors Terrance Quaker and Brenden Sofo, juniors Victor Ortiz, Magi Earnest, and Michael Beals, and sophomores Aaron Thomas and Eli Swan.

Newcomers include: junior Kayla Crawford, and freshmen Jakayla Holmes, Jake Brungard, Connor Bridwell, Michael Ho, Ibra Sheriff, and Madison Ziska.
 
JUMPS
PSAC runner-up sophomore Abigail Taylor returns after a breakout freshman campaign that saw her atop the record book in the triple-jump (indoor and outdoor) and despite an injury in the outdoor championships is poised to compete for the PSAC crown this year.

"Abby is Abby. Good caption, good athlete, good person always ready to improve, and a leader." Cook stated. "She looks healthy, strong and even faster which will translate nicely to the triple jump."

A pair of newcomers in Madison Ziska and Derrick Johnson could shock some people in their first seasons.
 
DISTANCE
The distance crew brings experience and momentum to the indoor season.

Senior Carly Daniels had a resurgence fully healthy in the cross country season, finishing with an All-Region performance at the NCAA Atlantic Regional Cross Country Championships, and is expected to use that momentum in the indoor season.

Sophomore David Wootten was a qualifier last indoor season, in the mile, and is poised to compete for a podium spot in a couple events.

Seniors Bailey Morgan (steeplechase) and Shelby Alexander(steeplechase), along with junior Abraham Calderon (10K) and sophomore Seth Neal (steeplechase) qualified last season for the outdoor championship and will use that experience and the improvements during the cross country season to compete for a qualifying spot.

Returners include: junior Anna Duncan and sophomores Angie Colon, Carrie Claypool, Simon Richards, Owen Showers, and Isaac Showers.

Embarking on their first indoor track season are freshman Derek Simpson, Baba Toure, and Anissa Lytle.

What's next?
The Mountaineers are scheduled to travel to Nazareth College in Rochester for one final meet before the semester break on Friday Dec. 9.