ANGOLA, Ind.-- The Trine men's track and field team will open the season this Saturday when the team hosts the Trine Conditioner in Keith E. Busse/Steel Dynamics Athletic Recreation Center.
The Thunder have high expectations entering the inaugural season of MIAA Indoor Track and Field. Trine will host the first conference indoor championship Feb. 28. The team expects to contend for the first MIAA indoor title after winning a meet featuring all of the conference's teams last winter. MIAA teams had traditionally met for an unofficial championship late in the indoor season prior to becoming an official conference-sponsored sport this year. The Thunder have produced an All-American in each of the last two seasons and will be looking to continue that trend this winter.
One of the events Trine has seen consistent success in is the 4-x-400-meter relay and this season should be no different as the team returns three members. Luke Fimreite (McCordsville, Ind./Mount Vernon) is the lone four-year member of the relay squad. Jacob Leopold (Ottawa Hills, Ohio/Ottawa-Glandorf) and Zach Markley (Winamac, Ind./Winamac) also return with experience in the relay.
Patrick Richardville (Leo, Ind./Leo) returns as Trine's top performer in sprinting events. Richardville set a school-record in the 60-meter dash as a freshman last year. John Harris-Scott (Wesley Chapel, Fla./Wiregrass Ranch) will also be an impact performer in sprints.
Versatile performer John Daniel (Fort Wayne, Ind./Carroll) gives Trine an athlete that has seen success in multiple events. Daniel is the top pole vaulter for the Thunder and has also shown the ability to contribute in sprint and jump events.
Andrew Bunting (Brunswick, Ohio/Brunswick) and Sam Gilly (St. Joseph, Ill./St. Joseph-Ogden) give Trine a pair of performers that have excelled in multiple throwing events. Bunting is the school-record holder in the weight throw. Courtney Mitchell (Fort Wayne, Ind./Bishop Leurs) and Derek Scott (Niles, Mich./Niles) give the Thunder two proven performers in the shot put.
Trine will look to its cross country performers to carry over a strong fall performance into the indoor season. The Thunder placed third in the MIAA with a host of strong finishes from underclassmen. Improved health from several key performers could be a factor in distance events as well.
The season opens this Saturday, Dec. 5 as the Thunder host the Trine Conditioner in Keith E. Busse/Steel Dynamics Athletic Recreation Center. Events are slated to begin at 11 a.m.