Track and Field 2019-20 Indoor Season Preview
12/5/2019 1:20:00 PM | Track and Field
Roos return a plethora of talent from last season
The Kansas City Indoor Track & Field program is eager to start the 2019-20 season under the direction of Head Coach Benaud Shirley. Indoor competition begins Friday, December 6, at the Bill Easton Indoor Classic in Lawrence, Kan. For a complete look at the 2019-20 schedule click HERE
The men's team is returning 29 letterwinners from a squad that finished in fourth place last season at the WAC Indoor Track & Field Championship. The women's team is returning 27 letterwinners and finished last year's WAC Indoor Track & Field Championship with a fifth place finish.
"We are pretty excited about the upcoming indoor season," said Head Coach Shirley Benaud. "The goals for the program is to have a competitive season, finish in the top half of the conference on the women's side and contend for an indoor conference title on the men's side."
Last season was a solid showing from the Roos with plenty of shining stars, most of them returning this season with plenty more to show.
One of the returners for the men's team, Christopher Bryan, claimed the Roos lone title in the WAC Indoor Track & Field Championship with a jump of 15.50 meters in the triple jump. Bryan also placed second in the 60 meter hurdles and third in the long jump. His incredible performance last season earned him the Men's High Point Athlete and the Men's Field Outstanding Athlete. Bryan hails from St. Catherine, Jamaica and enters the 2019-20 season in his final year as a graduate senior. Â
"We look to Christopher (Bryan) to lead us on the men's side in the horizontal jumps and hurdles," said Benaud. "We are very deep in the horizontal jumps and are looking forward to a great year from this group."
Gevon Foreman also joins the Roos this season, a junior transfer from NAIA Madonna University. He competes in throws and earned WHAC All-Conference Second Team last season at Madonna University.
Â
"We will look to Gevon Foreman to carry us in the throws this season," said Benaud.
On the women's side, Malon Lee had flashes of brilliance last season. Lee, a senior from right here in Kansas City, Mo., set a school record last season at the WAC Indoor. She ran a 24.68 in the 200 meter dash, best for a fourth place finish. She also notched a top-five finish in the 60 meter dash where she ran a 7.66, tied for third in school history.
Pole vaulter, Katy McAuley was named the Western Athletic Conference Women's Indoor Field Athlete of the Week for Dec. 4-10 last season. McAuley, a senior from Pontotoc, Miss., finished first in the pole vault and notched a new program record (3.95m) at the K-State Winter Invitational.  Â
"The women should be led by Louisa Nylander, Sommer Herner, and Brooke Jenkins in the sprints, distance and horizontal jumps respectively," said Benaud.
The list of impressive competitors this season for the Roos could go on and on. Both the men's and women's teams have a lot of star power on the track, setting up for an exciting 2019-20 Indoor season.
For the second-straight year, Kansas City has the incredible opportunity to train and practice at Hy-Vee Arena, located in Kansas City, Kan. The world-class facility contains a 350-meter track, which is unique as most collegiate facilities do not go past with 300 meters. The teams have access to locker rooms, storage areas and the athletic training space, in addition to first priority usage.
The team will be joined by new assistant coach Muna Lee, a former Olympic competitor. With champions both on and off the field, it's clear that the Track and Field team can look forward to a bright 2020 season.Â
Â
Â
The men's team is returning 29 letterwinners from a squad that finished in fourth place last season at the WAC Indoor Track & Field Championship. The women's team is returning 27 letterwinners and finished last year's WAC Indoor Track & Field Championship with a fifth place finish.
"We are pretty excited about the upcoming indoor season," said Head Coach Shirley Benaud. "The goals for the program is to have a competitive season, finish in the top half of the conference on the women's side and contend for an indoor conference title on the men's side."
Last season was a solid showing from the Roos with plenty of shining stars, most of them returning this season with plenty more to show.
One of the returners for the men's team, Christopher Bryan, claimed the Roos lone title in the WAC Indoor Track & Field Championship with a jump of 15.50 meters in the triple jump. Bryan also placed second in the 60 meter hurdles and third in the long jump. His incredible performance last season earned him the Men's High Point Athlete and the Men's Field Outstanding Athlete. Bryan hails from St. Catherine, Jamaica and enters the 2019-20 season in his final year as a graduate senior. Â
"We look to Christopher (Bryan) to lead us on the men's side in the horizontal jumps and hurdles," said Benaud. "We are very deep in the horizontal jumps and are looking forward to a great year from this group."
Gevon Foreman also joins the Roos this season, a junior transfer from NAIA Madonna University. He competes in throws and earned WHAC All-Conference Second Team last season at Madonna University.
Â
"We will look to Gevon Foreman to carry us in the throws this season," said Benaud.
On the women's side, Malon Lee had flashes of brilliance last season. Lee, a senior from right here in Kansas City, Mo., set a school record last season at the WAC Indoor. She ran a 24.68 in the 200 meter dash, best for a fourth place finish. She also notched a top-five finish in the 60 meter dash where she ran a 7.66, tied for third in school history.
Pole vaulter, Katy McAuley was named the Western Athletic Conference Women's Indoor Field Athlete of the Week for Dec. 4-10 last season. McAuley, a senior from Pontotoc, Miss., finished first in the pole vault and notched a new program record (3.95m) at the K-State Winter Invitational.  Â
"The women should be led by Louisa Nylander, Sommer Herner, and Brooke Jenkins in the sprints, distance and horizontal jumps respectively," said Benaud.
The list of impressive competitors this season for the Roos could go on and on. Both the men's and women's teams have a lot of star power on the track, setting up for an exciting 2019-20 Indoor season.
For the second-straight year, Kansas City has the incredible opportunity to train and practice at Hy-Vee Arena, located in Kansas City, Kan. The world-class facility contains a 350-meter track, which is unique as most collegiate facilities do not go past with 300 meters. The teams have access to locker rooms, storage areas and the athletic training space, in addition to first priority usage.
The team will be joined by new assistant coach Muna Lee, a former Olympic competitor. With champions both on and off the field, it's clear that the Track and Field team can look forward to a bright 2020 season.Â
Â
Â
Players Mentioned
Multi
/ Track and Field
THROWS
/ Track and Field
DISTANCE
/ Track and Field
JUMPS
/ Track and Field
SPRINTS
/ Track and Field
JUMPS
/ Track and Field
HURDLES/SPRINTS
/ Track and FieldT&F Highlights: Summit League Outdoor Championships Day Three
Saturday, May 17
T&F Highlights: Men's 4x400 Full Race
Saturday, May 17
T&F Highlights: Summit League Outdoor Championships Day One
Thursday, May 15
T&F Highlights at Summit League Indoor Championships Day Two
Saturday, March 01