The men's and women's track and field teams kick off their season this Friday with the DePauw Small College Invitational at the indoor track. As a historically successful program under head coach Kori Stoffregen, the teams are looking to take the North Coast Athletic Conference by storm.
"The energy around the team has been awesome to experience; everyone is working hard towards individual and team goals," assistant coach Megan Daw said. We start competing behind the rest of the conference, so we are the surprise the NCAC has to prepare for!"
Assistant Coach Daw is new to the coaching staff and this will be her first season with the team and has brought a great new dimension to the program.
"Assistant Coach Megan Daw is excellent," sophomore Hope Jordan said. "We will definitely benefit from her presence."
Jordan also has high hopes for herself and her teammates this season. Last year DePauw was new the NCAC. They took fourth at the indoor championships and third in outdoor championships.
"That wasn't bad, but we can do better," Jordan added. "As a whole, the team has been working hard all Winter Term to be the best we can be and build upon last year."
And they have quite a bit of tradition to build on. Since his hire in 1996, Stroffregen has coached DePauw student athletes to 31 All-America awards.
"Everyone here at every level has welcomed me in and allowed me to share some of my new ideas," Daw said. "Kori Stoffregen, the head men's and women's track and field coach, has developed a program I feel very lucky to be a part of. I am excited to help continue the tradition of success that he has worked so hard to build."
As far as what the season holds, coaches and athletes alike are confident about the direction the team will take. When asked which athletes to watch out for, Jordan couldn't pick just a few.
"Watch everyone. But really," Jordan said. "We have some amazing talent coming back as well as some tough newcomers. When first-years are somewhat intimidating and upperclassmen are determined, we all work harder."
Daw was able to be a bit more specific naming junior Kyle Mackey and seniors Myron Burr, Lee Harmon, and Taryn Owens as some names to keep an eye out for. As a whole it looks like the track and field teams are on road for another successful season, maybe even putting last season to rest with better results.
Daw finished her discussion of the team by adding, "Overall, the team has a lot of potential and individuals in every event that can help push the team to be the powerhouse of the NCAC!"