CLEVELAND, Ga. (January 27, 2023) – The Truett McConnell University men's and women's track & field teams are set to begin their 2023 season on Saturday, where they will travel to compete at the Life U Indoor-Outdoor Challenge, hosted by Life University. Men's and women's track & field had a historic season with one national champion, multiple records broken and 13 total NAIA national qualifiers, the most to ever qualify in a single season in program history.
 
The women's track & field team started the 2022 season hot with sophomore Grace Jones setting a new shot-put record (12.28 m), followed by junior Katilyn Babb setting a program record in javelin, breaking a personal record and punching a ticket to nationals for the first time in women's track and field program history. The Lady Bears finished third out of 12 teams at the AAC Tournament, with several events receiving a first-place finish, including 100m dash, Javelin, 4x100m relay, 4x400m relay, Long Jump and 200m dash.

At the NAIA National Championships, sophomore Myesha Hall was named the 2022 Women's Track and Field Long Jump National Champion. Hall competed in three events (Long Jump, Triple Jump, Women's 4x100m Relay), where she won the National Championship title in Long Jump after breaking the TMU program record and setting a new personal record with a mark of 6.15m. Hall has made TMU history by becoming the first individual athlete ever in the NAIA era to be named a national champion and All-American since the women's basketball team was named national champions in 1980. Hall opened the event with a mark of 3.34m and recorded the winning mark on her third jump, which ultimately sealed the victory. The next closest mark was from Indiana Tech at 6.14m.
 
The Men's track and field team started the 2022 season strong as well with junior Austin Mathis setting a new shot-put record (14.93 m). Sophomore Cameron Alamia punched his ticket to the National Championship early in the season. The Bears placed third out of 14 teams at the AAC Tournament, with several events receiving a first-place finish, including 4x400m relay, 4x100m relay, 400m hurdles, 100m dash, 400m, and 200m dash. Alamia was named AAC Freshman of the Year.
 
Coach Joe Imhoff adds, "I am excited for this season and the opportunity to coach these athletes who have worked hard on the track as well as in the classroom. The athletes hard work will show against tough opponents throughout the year and we are looking forward to the competition. I am blessed to coach these athletes and excited for what the 2023 outdoor season will bring."
 
Following the qualifier, the Lady Bears and Bears will travel to compete in the Susan Rouse Invitational on Saturday, March 4, along with competing in the Myrtle Beach Collegiate Challenge on Friday, March 10 – Saturday, March 11.
 
Keep up with the Bears and Lady Bears throughout their 2023 season here on tmbears.com or follow us on Facebook (@TMUBears), Instagram (@TMUBears) and Twitter (@TMUBears).