Trailblazers Indoor Track and Field poised for strong showing at Nationals this weekend

VINCENNES, Ind – The Vincennes University Indoor Track and Field teams have looked strong this season, culminating in a men's team win at the Kentucky Collegiate Indoor Invitational.

"I think we've gone through the season about as well as could be expected," VU Track and Field coach Chris Gafner said. "We came in not as well prepared as what we wanted to be, but everyone has been working hard and they've been progressing and we've put the pieces together to go into National ready to compete at a high level."

VU has many bright spots on their teams as they head to Pittsburg, Ks. this weekend, most notably sophomore pole vaulter Matteo Capello, who not only set a new school record, but actually broke the NJCAA pole vaulting record in the process. Then just a couple weeks later, he broke his own record, reaching a height of 5.40 meters in Louisville.

"Matteo is very self-driven," Gafner said. "So, he's always looking to be at his best. He's been practicing well and I think he's going into Nationals with the mindset of looking to try to top what he's done so far. I think he is focused and ready to go."

Capello is not the only Trailblazer pole vaulting standout, as North Knox product Makinzi Meurer currently holds the top pole vaulting mark in the NJCAA this season, reaching a height of 3.53 meters earlier this season.

"Makinzi has done well this year but she hasn't quite reached the level she was at last year," Gafner added. "But she's ranked number one so she's going in in a good spot but I think she's got more in her and she's ready to show that."

VU will also have pole vaulters Cole Sumner and Matthew Frazier competing at Nationals as well. Sumner will enter Nationals as the fifth-ranked men's pole vaulter, with Frazier following close behind at ninth.

The Trailblazers men's team will also be sending Chase Knoblett to compete in the Men's Heptathlon, who is currently ranked 10th in that event.

Anthony Campbell will be competing in two events, as Campbell not only qualified as the fourth-ranked high jumper, but he also qualified for the men's long jump along with fellow Trailblazer Kyle Stewart.

Ryan Golliher also qualified for two different events. Golliher is ranked fifth in the men's weight throw, which he will be competing in alongside teammate Walter Martin, but Golliher is also ranked in the top-10 in the men's shot put.

The VU men's track and field team will also be sending a distance medley team of Ian Boit, Manamanya Opiew, Walter Tanui and Trenton Faulkner.

Faulkner's time at Nationals won't end there however as he is currently ranked in the top-15 in the men's 1000 meter run.

"We have some bright spots on our men's team," Gafner said. "Matteo is obviously ranked high; we have two other men's vaulters who are ranked in the top-10. We have some other event athletes that are ranked pretty well. Anthony Campbell is ranked in the top-five in high jump, we have a couple of guys who are ranked in the top-15's of their events. Ryan Golliher is ranked in the top-five in weight throw and also top-10 in shot put."

"We have a lot of spots that we can score. We have a distance medley that should have a chance to do well, so a lot of different spots that can score, if they do well that day. I feel like we're in a position whereas we're ranked now, if we finish where we're ranked we'll do fairly decent, but I think we're in a position where we can move up a couple of spots."

The Women's Indoor Track and Field events will also be flooded with Trailblazers looking to leave their mark on the competition.

Cross Country All-Americans Kyra Young and Meagan Moreno will be competing in two events each, with the pair each qualifying for the women's one mile run.

Young will then be taking part in the women's distance medley along side Jacy Collins, Chloe Knepp and Kaitlyn Koenig. This team of runners is currently ranked fifth heading into Nationals.

"Our women's distance medley is ranked in the top-five. I think they have a good chance of racing well," Gafner said. "Kyra Young has been consistent this year, much improved from last year. Chloe Knepp was hurt most of the year but is healthy now. Jacy Collins has come a long way from the cross country season."

Moreno will be entered in the women's 3000 meter run. An event she is currently ranked sixth in.

"Meagan has been consistent all year," Gafner said. "She's been running really well and setting personal bests. I think she will go into the National meet ready to go."

Vincennes will also be represented by Ryann Griesemer, who will be competing in the women's high jump. Griesemer is currently ranked 14th in the country in this event.

"Ryann Griesemer has been practicing really well," Gafner added. "I feel pretty happy with where our women's team is at. While we don't have as much depth on the women's side, I do feel like everyone that we're taking is going to have a shot at a podium spot. It's just a matter of executing on the given day."

The Trailblazers look to have another strong showing at Indoor Nationals this weekend, with events scheduled for both Friday, March 5 and Saturday, March 6.

"I feel like we have performed well, but I don't feel like we've peaked yet," Gafner said. "Everybody has been on an upward trend, so I hope to continue that at Nationals and hopefully finish the season off on a high note for most of these athletes. It's hard to go into a track meet and have everyone on the team perform at their absolute best, so if you can come out with more people than not having a good day then you are usually doing well."

"While Nationals is important and it's a focus, I don't think we treat it that much differently as far as our preparation from any other meet. We're just looking to go in and execute and that's really the goal. The goal at this program is to continue to get better. So, no matter where you're at, whether you're the person who barely made it to Nationals or the person ranked number one, the goal is to continue getting better. I feel like we're in a pretty good spot and we've continued to do that, so I'm pretty happy with that."

"This has been a fantastic group, as far as their dedication and their willingness to put in the work and have a positive outlook," Gafner said. "That makes it a lot of fun for me and it also makes it a lot of fun for the entire team. So, I'm happy with the group dynamic we have right now."