Both track & field teams aiming for titles

Schedule of Events
Fan Page
Streaming

Coach Brian Whitlock and the Wayland Baptist men's and women's track teams find themselves in a similar position as a year ago: they're prepared to make a serious run at the NAIA Men's and Women's Indoor Track and Field National Championships.
 
"We're excited to get things started," Whitlock said. "We've had a great record from the past few years and we're going to continue that this year."
 
The 51st annual event for the men and 36th annual competition for the women will take place Thursday-Saturday in Johnson City, Tenn.
 
For the women, the Pioneers are counting on veterans Alexis Browner, Bianca Farrington, Gregria Higgs, Rochene Smith and Monique McPherson to score early and often to boost the reigning outdoor national champions. Browner, Farrington and Higgs are all seniors and all-Americans hoping to end their indoor eligibility on a high note.
 
"We've got a good group of returners," Whitlock said. "We need them to finish strong. We're counting on them for some big points. This is probably the best group of girls we've had in the sprints."
 
Farrington, who won the 400-meter dash last year at both indoor and outdoor nationals, is coming off of injury, and Whitlock is keeping his fingers crossed that she can produce some positive results.
 
"Hopefully she can get out there and contribute," Whitlock said. "I still think we have a great shot at winning."
 
As for the men's team, which has finished second at both indoor and outdoor nationals the past two years, the Pioneers also have all-American returners – Kabroderan Handsborough, Justin Scruggs, Kelson Pierre and Andrew Reynolds – to propel them in the running once again.
 
Handsborough and Scruggs, especially, are being counted on to score major points and provide leadership to their teammates.
 
"(Handsborough) will be our top point guy, and we're expecting a lot out of (Scruggs)," Whitlock said. "We have to count on those seniors to come through for us."
 
Whitlock also is looking for Tre Hinds, Adam Berhe and Troy Long "to step up" this week.
 
"These are guys we think can come in and score good points for us," Whitlock said.
 
Wayland's men's team is rated second while the women are seen as fifth in rankings by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association. Indiana Tech, with a very deep roster, is seen as the favorite in both competitions.
 Kabroderan Handsborough                                                                                60,2004x400                 
Justin Scruggs                                                                                                  60,200
Troy Long                                                                                                         60,
Devon Sanders                                                                                                 200,4004x400
Joshua Helom                                                                                                   400,4x400
Kelson Pierre                                                                                                    400,600,800,4x400,4x800
Tre Hinds                                                                                                          600,8004x400,4x800
Andrew Reynolds                                                                                              4x400
Adam Berhe                                                                                                      600,4x800
Joey Gonzalez                                                                                                  600,800,4x800
Kevin Dunn                                                                                                       600,4x800
Boniface Kiptoo                                                                                                 1000
 Rochene Smith                                                                                                  60,200,4x400
Gregria Higgs                                                                                                    60,200
Alexis Browner                                                                                                  60,200,4x400
Bianca Farrington                                                                                              400,4x400
Tiffany Cano                                                                                                     400,600,4x400
Monique McPherson                                                                                          600,800,4x400
Patrice Daniels                                                                                                  600,800
Jackline Jemeli                                                                                                 3000,5000
Carlisa Russell                                                                                                  60H,4x400
Tiona Owens                                                                                                     Long jump, Triple jump