Track & Field action returns to the Cregger Center this Saturday evening for the start of the 2020 ODAC Indoor Championships.  At last year's event, Washington and Lee won the men's competition and Lynchburg took the team title on the women's side.

WOMEN'S PREVIEW

Based on the season's performance lists, the women's favorite is W&L with Lynchburg close behind.  The Roanoke squad is 3^rd on paper, with Bridgewater very close behind.  A number of Maroons will be competing for conference honors.  Senior Claire Aurand, an all-conference performer multiple times, should duel for big points in the 60 meters.  Also ranked in the short events is Alison Moreau; the junior will compete in the 60, 200, and her field specialty, the high jump.  The Roanoke contingent in the pole vault should score many points and possibly take half of the 8 scoring places.  ODAC champion Lindsey Baxter and Chloe Van Duyne are among the top vaulters with All-ODAC Claire Trotto just inches behind. 

The 20 pound Weight Throw should also prove to be a good point producer for the Maroons.  Senior Jayna Jean-Jules has thrown close to 49' and is the 2019 ODAC champion.  The ODAC record is held by former Maroon Whitney Fitzwater (Class of 2011) at 52'5".  Freshman Samantha Hampton could score major points in the Shot Put; she had a season best of over 37' several weeks ago at the Noke Elite Meet.  Hannah Snodgrass is ranked 3^rd in the 60 hurdles and Hannah Koepfinger, ranked 5^th, hopes to score points in the 800m. 

The women's 4 X 400 relay team is the top seed in an event that has been dominated by the Maroons in previous years.  The ODAC All Time record (3:56, 2014) and the ODAC Championship record (3:59, 2013) were set by Roanoke squads who advanced to the NCAA's and earned All American honors. 

MEN'S PREVIEW

The season's bests calculations have Lynchburg's men as the team to beat with W&L placing second.  The prediction for scoring the Roanoke team is 6^th among the 11 team field.  The Maroons feature several guys who could place in their events.  School record holder Xavier O'Brien is among the ODAC best in his specialty, the 60 hurdles.  Freshman Sam Crawford ran a fast 22.93 at the Noke Elite Meet several weeks ago and could challenge for major points in the 200. 

The Bland brothers, Kyle (4^th) and Kaleb (5^th) are ranked well in the 35 Pound Weight Throw and are expected to compete for All ODAC honors.  Kaleb Bland may also be a factor in the Shot Put scoring.  In the distance events, Chamberlain Zulauf (ranked 5^th, 3000) and Peter Smith (ranked 7^th, 5000) will double in the long races.  The men's 4 X 400 relay quartet should also compete for points, currently ranked 4^th in the league at 3:29. 

Both field and track events begin at 6 pm on Saturday, February 29.  The meet will conclude on Sunday, March 1, with field events starting at 11 am and track events at 2:30 pm.