Brett Olsen placed in the top three for the hammer and discus throw at the
Southeastern Invitational last season. The Lion’s Roar /  File Photos

The Lion track and field teams return to action this semester, both heavy with potential.  With high hopes to maintain their champion status from last year, the men’s team will have returning athletes such as sophomore Alex Holden in the 800, and juniors Jonathan Kinchen and Jimmy LeBlanc in shot put and Kadarius Williams in high jump. 

New transfers include Alex Young, an All American hammer thrower; Devin King, the top ranking high school recruit in the country; Gennard Paul in multiple jumping events; Ashley Riley, a sprint and middle distance runner; and Raheem Brown, who set four school records at his junior college and was a national qualifier.

“This is the best recruiting class we have had since I’ve been here,” said head coach Sean Brady. “We have very high expectations for the team’s performances during this season.”

The women’s team aims to improve their rank and finish among the top three in the conference. Returning to help them accomplish this is Domonique White, a sprinter and National Collegiate Athletic Association qualifier; and four pole vaulters: Addison Martinez, Whitney Adams, Katelyn Whitekiller and Sharon Ann Ourso.

Similar to the men’s team, the women’s will add many transfers to their running family this season: from Jamaica, Sharonna Williams will join the team as a red shirt freshman and high jump champion Ikea Kaufman will join.

“It is looking up to be a fun and exciting year when we can move up the ladder,” said Brady. “We’re just a couple steps from the championship and close to the top.”

Brady also believes the coaches on staff are the strongest thus far. Mike Bartolina, who has been at Southeastern for 10 years, will continue to coach pole vault and jumpers; Lucais MacKay who has been on staff for three years; Brandon Chapoton for four; and new arrival Corey Mistretta.

“He [Mistretta] brings energy and experience to the team that we’ve been missing,” said Brady.

The coaches’ main goal is to help the athletes get their degrees and prepare them for professional work in those fields after school.

The track and field season has been underway since Jan. 9, where they partook in their first meet of the season at Louisiana State University’s Invitational in Baton Rouge. Only a small group participated and the experience was taken as a trial run opportunity. 

The following meet will be in Houston and Brady believes the team will perform at full strength.

Southeastern’s annual invitational will be held April 16 and 17 on campus with field events beginning at 10:00 a.m. and running at 1:00 p.m.