Western Wayne Today

Wayne State University's women's track and field team is gearing up for the 2024-25 indoor season. The squad will begin its campaign at the Saginaw Valley State Holiday Open, with a roster that includes 32 returning letter winners. Among these athletes are six who have earned three letters in indoor competition, as well as 13 two-year and 13 one-year letter winners.

Cross country All-American Reagan Justice will compete on Friday at the GVSU Holiday Open in the 5K Invite. Assistant coach Celine Freeman-Gibb expressed optimism about the team's throwers: senior Peyton Hansen, sophomore Makayla Stewart, and freshman Ania Toboy. Freeman-Gibb stated, "With a young throws squad this year we are looking forward to some solid performances."

Associate Head Coach Nate Miller praised his position groups of sprinters, jumpers, and hurdlers for their preparation. "I am very pleased with the work, focus, and effort our sprinters, jumpers, and hurdlers have put in this summer and fall," he said. He emphasized the importance of teamwork and high performance levels.

The sprinters group includes juniors Hanne Bastiaansen, Iyana Coates, Emmanuela Johnson, Elyse Miller, Avery Wilson; sophomores Tianna Bennett, Rachel Overgaard, Sasha-Gay Thompson; and freshman Lauren Wooten. Renae Kutcha and Annabelle Smith will compete in sprints and jumps. The jumps group features Nevaeh Branson, Gracie Klink, Nicole Warren; freshmen Olivia Findlay and Ava Steinhebel.

In sprints and hurdles are senior Makenzie Wellner; sophomore Keneisha Thomas; freshman Alex Harmer; newcomer Megan Zahnow; redshirt junior Richelle Cotter. Junior Idalia Shadhaya is set to compete in multis.

Head Coach Grant Lofdahl expressed enthusiasm for the mid-distance and distance teams: "This is shaping up to be a very exciting indoor season for Wayne State." He highlighted strong relay teams including Avery Wilson, Renae Kutcha, Keneisha Thomas in the 4x400 relay. The distance medley features Emily Gordon, Anna Gdowski, Rachel Felstow among others.

Lofdahl also praised other athletes like Reagan Justice and Bri Vojinov for their potential this season: "We have a deep and talented sprint crew...and some great young jumpers like Nicole Warren." He noted several newcomers could impact at conference level including Olivia Findlay.

Mid-distance runners include Taylor Hopkins; seniors Robin Bresolin; Emily Gordon; juniors Jessica Denver; Rachel Felstow; sophomores Anna Gdowski; Meagan Verellen; freshmen Annalise Elliott; Sydney Smith. The distance team has seniors Natalie Davies; Mattie Drennan among others.

WSU resumes its schedule post-holiday break in January at the Findlay Alumni Classic followed by events leading up to GLIAC Championships on March 1-2 at SVSU.