CLEVELAND, Ga. (Jan. 24, 2020) — The Truett McConnell University men's and women's track & field teams are set to kick off the 2020 season on Saturday at the Embry-Riddle Indoor-Outdoor Challenge in Daytona Beach, Florida.

"This offseason training has been the best off season we have had since the track & field program began in 2016," Head Coach Joe Imhoff said. "Each athlete has worked hard in the weight room, on the track and in the classroom to set them up for a great season."

The women will feature key returners like Haley Thompson and Esther Nakanwagi, who will help lead the Lady Bears in sprints, jumps and hurdle events. Thompson and Nakanwagi were both members of the 4x400m relay team in 2019 when they set a new TMU record finishing runner-up at the Appalachian Athletic Conference Championships.

Trenyonna Allen, Jodie Tanner and Madison Schmidlkofer are key incomers expected to fill the hurdle events, which will allow the team to have its first full hurdle group.

The men will feature sophomore Keishon Franklin, an NAIA All-American in the 400m dash, who qualified for nationals in two individual events (200m, 400m) last season.

Another returner for the Bears includes senior Donald Bonner, who has punched two straight tickets to nationals in the men's triple jump.

Three members of TMU's 2019 4x100m relay team, who appeared at the NAIA national championships, and the complete 4x400m group that competed at the NAIA national championships are all returning for the Bears: Franklin, Hoy Thurman IV, Keontrae Clayton, Bonner and Donald Swinson.

Wes Ledford, Ben Lapsley, and Max Calderon are all key incomers that are expected to help lead the team's first-ever 4x800m relay. 

"I am excited about this season and believe we can compete with anyone in the country," Imhoff said. "We are looking forward to our first meet in Daytona Beach, Florida and excited to see the growth we make throughout the season."