Bethlehem, Pa. — The Towson University women's indoor track and field team is set to open its 2021-22 season at the Bison Opener on Dec. 4.
Bison Opener Format
Bucknell's Bison Opener is a two-day meet from Dec. 3-4 held at the Gerhard Fieldhouse. Towson will only compete on the final day of the meet, Saturday, Dec. 4. Events will start at 10:30 a.m. with the long jump and go until 5 p.m., ending with the 4x400 relay.
The Tigers will compete in five events guaranteed on the track in the 500 meter, 300 meter and 4x400 relay. The team will also race in the 60 meter hurdles and 60 meter dash trials with the opportunity to go onto the finals later on.
In addition to on the track, the black & gold will too see action in five field events including the long jump, triple jump, weight throw, shot put, high jump and pole vault.
Fan Policy
All persons are required to wear a mask while in any campus building at Bucknell University, unless actively eating or drinking. This includes all spectators and coaches, as well as all student-athletes who are warming up/practicing before their event or after they finish competing. Athletes are only allowed to be unmasked when actively competing, ie: actual race, throwing or jumping attempt.
Indoor 2021 Recap
The Towson University indoor track & field team made waves as the team competed in seven meets during the 2021 campaign. The Tigers ended the season with over 25 top-five finishes and several personal bests accomplished.
Haley Horvath led the way with a very successful indoor pole vault season, with five top-five finishes, including a first-place victory at the Winter Track Fiesta hosted by George Mason to end her season. The highlight of her season, however, was setting a new program-best in the indoor pole vault, jumping 4.21m at the Darius Dixon Memorial Invitational hosted by Liberty. After that jump, Horvath ranked No. 13 in the nation and ended the indoor season at No. 22.
Kayla Thorpe also found successful as she set a new freshman record at the VMI Team Challenge in the shot put. The rookie's best throw of the day of 13.53m (44'4.75") ranks fourth all-time indoors and established a new freshman record.
Not to be forgotten on the track, upperclassmen Crystal Johnson and Holly Edsall both made some noise at the Brant Tolsma Invitational, hosted by Liberty University. Senior Johnson won the 60 meter dash with a time of 7.50 while junior Holly Edsall came out on top in the 500 meter run with a time of 1:19.33.
Fresh Faces
This offseason, the Tigers welcomed 10 freshmen to the team in Cristal Cuervo, Lacey Fowler, Deneé Hibbert, Sara Kindbom, Mia Martinez, Sarah Meredith, Alexis Mogensen, Aubrey Schaffer, Mya Shoemaker and Casey Walter.
Transferring In
Transfers Najae Nickerson (Mount St. Mary's), Amahri Boyce (Manhattan College), Taylor Robinson (Marshall), Chalys Caruth (Mount St. Mary's), Amanda Tony (Alvernia) and Emmeline Klefaas (North Greenville) also all joined the Tiger family for the upcoming slate.
Looking Ahead
At the completion of the Bison Opener, the team will be off until George Mason's Father Diamond Invitational on Jan. 8. A week later, the team will return to the Commonwealth for the VMI Team Challenge on Jan. 15.
Tigers in the Community
For the 7th consecutive year, the department exceeded 10,000 hours of community service to the Greater Baltimore region, finishing with 11,162 hours of community service in the 2018-19 academic season. Towson ranked #1 nationally for community service and won the 2018 National Championship for Community Service through the Helper Helper NCAA Team Works Competition. Towson had a 97% participation rate, attended 118 community service opportunities and volunteered with 19 organizations. The Tigers won the 2018 Volunteer of the Year Award from Susan G. Komen of Maryland.
