McLean County Times

The Illinois Wesleyan University men's and women's track and field teams are preparing to host the Titan First Chance meet on Saturday, December 7. This event marks the beginning of their season and is the first of five home meets scheduled for this year. Field events will commence at 11 a.m., followed by track events starting at noon inside the Shirk Center.

This season is significant as it represents the third year for Head Men's Track and Field Coach Todd Lowder and the second for Women's Track and Field Head Coach Amelia Marino. The teams are coming off a successful 2023-24 season, where the men's team finished second in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin Championships, with three individual conference event winners. The women's team secured four individual event wins, leading to a fourth-place team finish.

The Green and White welcome 25 new athletes to the men's team and 15 newcomers to the women's squad. Additionally, they return with 28 All-CCIW honorees across both programs. Junior Evan Lowder is set to return after winning titles in both the 400-meter and 200-meter dash at last year's indoor conference championships. He qualified for the NCAA Indoor Championships in the 400-meter, finishing tenth overall, earning Second Team All-American honors.

On the women's side, junior Adriana Crabtree aims to continue her impressive performance from last season when she won three events at the CCIW Indoor Championships. She was part of a successful relay team alongside senior Jordynn Griffin, junior Brooke Nazos, and sophomore Peyton Stinger. Crabtree also earned Second Team All-American status with a thirteenth-place finish in the mile at last year's NCAA Indoor Championships.

Sophomore Imani Ogunribido made history last season by tying a school record in the triple jump during her freshman year. She also qualified for her first NCAA Championships in this event, achieving Second Team All-American honors.

The Titan First Chance meet will also serve as IWU's Alumni Day. It will feature most traditional events but will replace some races with alternatives like the 300m and 600m instead of the usual 400m and 800m races.

Live results will be available throughout the meet, with final results posted on iwusports.com after its conclusion.