ALFRED, NY – Alfred University's women's track and field team looks to continue on a positive path after a great end to last season, where they finished fourth out of seven teams in the outdoor Empire 8 Championships. 

"We want to be better now in indoor so we can have overall progression leading into outdoor," Head Coach Matt Phillips '10 said. "That's the goal, but it all depends on the person, the event discipline, etc." 

Phillips' squad may be smaller in numbers, but big in heart and competition. He'll be looking for runners and throwers to step up with four graduating seniors moving on from competition. The side will still Anne Spila (Mechanicsburg, PA/Trinity) competing at high levels in multiple events off the back of being the outdoor javelin thrower champion.

McKenzie Hall (Hornell, NY/Hornell) will lead the women's side in mid-distance and distance running. She was part of the school-record winning team in the 4x800-Meter relay at the Empire 8 Championships, and will also be joined by Annabelle Townsend (Woodsville, NH/Woodsville) who was a part of that relay team. 

"Our goal will be the same as last year, but it will be difficult with the addition of Geneseo and Brockport," Phillips said. "The women's side will be tough, so do we have people who and step up and fill in?" 

Off the track and on the field, the Saxons will have Natalya Ryckman (New Eagle, PA/Ringgold) taking part in several throwing events this season. Townsend will also be competing in triple jump. 

Alfred will also have not only the new faces competing in the squad, but also two new coaches to help bring more for the student-athletes. David Brannigan and Bill Sortore enter the fray with years of experience, including Sortore's past as the head coach of the AU cross country team from 2008-2018. 

"More coaches sure isn't bad, but now we have enough coaches to have specific event disciplines," Phillips said. "We're not fighting for the time anymore, so we can really dive in deeper." 

Phillips' coaching staff of seven and their women's side starts up the track season with an indoor meet this Friday at Houghton, getting underway at 4 PM. The Saxons will see where they stand before heading into the holiday break and getting back underway in January.  

-- Swords Forward Saxons --