SAN ANTONIO (Dec. 3, 2024) – The Our Lady of the Lake University (OLLU) men's track and field program is gearing up for an exciting 2024-2025 indoor season, set to kick off on Dec. 7. Under the leadership of new Head Coach Brett Charlton, the team has set high expectations for a successful year. The indoor season, running through the end of February, and the upcoming outdoor season, beginning in March and finishing in May, promise to be filled with thrilling competitions and potential for the team to achieve their goals.

Charlton commented on what he will do differently as he transitions from being an assistant coach since 2020 to taking over as head coach this year: "The biggest thing that we will teach our team is 'winning the day.' We want them to focus on practice that day and on the classes they have that day, and that will lead to the team's success as the season goes."

History

The track and field program began in 2015, and that year, the men placed fifth in conference. In 2016, they finished in third place; in 2017, second place; in 2018, third place; in 2019, second place; in 2021, the Saints won the conference title; in 2022, in third place; and in 2023, the Saints won the title. The team as a whole did not participate in the 2024 conference meet.

Coaching staff

Charlton relies heavily on Assistant Coach Henry Spillers, who has had a great impact on the team since joining the coaching staff last season. He also added OLLU alumnus Jose Zarate to his full-time staff, and he will focus on distance runners. New coach Jaron Criswell will guide the jumpers, and he will also add Gigmont Thomas. OLLU alumna Viridiana Zuniga joins the coaching staff as a graduate assistant. These experienced and dedicated individuals bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the team, ensuring a strong and competitive season ahead.

Returners

Senior leaders include long-distance runner Joseph Gonzalez, sprinter Justin Gould, long-distance runner JoseCarlos Hernandez, jumper De'Jon Lewis, and long-distance runners Kruz Malesich, Diego Moran and Robert Rios. Lewis qualified for nationals in outdoor in 2023 and indoor in 2024. Gonzalez and Hernandez were national indoor qualifiers in 2024 in the DMR.

Junior returners include long-distance runner Ryan Aldana, sprinter Jalen Bell, hurdler Richard Davis, sprinter Sean Lin, long-distance runner Sabastian Moreno, sprinter Jesus Riefkohl Delgado, sprinter Jimmie Salas, long-distance runner Jose Saucedo, sprinter Troy Stinson, long-distance runner Jayden Turrubiates and sprinter/jumper Spencer Williams.

Bell, Davis, Delgado, Salas, Stinson and Williams were national qualifiers in outdoor in 2023. In 2024 indoor, Bell and Davis were national qualifiers. Delgado, Salas, Williams and Stinson were national qualifiers in 2024 outdoor.

Davis and Stinson received NAIA All-American honors in 2023 in the 4x400mR after placing fifth in the NAIA Outdoor Championships. Bell and Davis received NAIA All-American recognition in 2024 in the NAIA Indoor Championships in the 4x400mR.

The sophomores returning are long-distance runners Dominic Alonzo, Tony Favella and Vincent Garza; sprinters Houston Ifah and D'Myun Jackson; mid-distance runner Ethan Navarro; and long-distance runners Jose Perez, Sigifredo Salinas and Joshua Veliz.

National qualifiers include Ifah, Navarro and Perez in 2024 indoor.

Newcomers

The Saints welcome quite a few newcomers. They include freshmen: sprinter Yvann Agah, long-distance runner Marc Castro, sprinter Ja'ir Hampton, hurdler/jumper Beau Ryder Lewis, long-distance runner Isai Moran, sprinter Boaz Nyandega, hurdler/sprinter Rodney Pace, sprinter/jumper Jordan Pope, sprinter Zackariah Reyes and hurdler Malik White; junior sprinter Braylon Williams; and senior long-distance runner Andrew Ruiz.

Conference opponents

The Saints outdoor track and field team only had a handful of members compete at the Red River Athletic Conference Championship Meet in 2024. Charlton expects to send his entire team this year and says Xavier University of Louisiana will be the Saints' most formidable competitor in the conference. Others listed to compete in the conference include Huston-Tillotson University, Jarvis Christian University, North American University, Paul Quinn College and Texas College.

Indoor schedule

The Saints start the indoor season at the Crimson & Gold Invitational at Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, Kan., Dec. 6-7. The teams will head out to the FasTrak Collegiate Indoor Invitational in Houston on Jan. 25. Next up is the NAIA/JUCO Challenge at Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, Kan. The Saints will travel to Albuquerque, N.M., for the New Mexico Team Open at the University of New Mexico from Jan. 31-Feb. 1. Next is the Arkansas Qualifier at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, Ark., on Feb. 14. Tentatively scheduled is the Last Chance at the Lake at OLLU Feb. 15, and then qualifiers will travel to Gainsville, Fla., for the 60th Annual NAIA Men's Indoor National Track and Field Championship from Feb. 27-March 1. The meet will take place at the Alachua County Sports & Events Center.

Outdoor schedule

OLLU will start the outdoor season at the UTSA Invitational at the University of Texas at San Antonio on March 21-22. The meet will take place at UTSA's Park West Athletics Complex. Members of the team will participate in either the Texas Relays at the University of Texas at Austin on March 27-30, the Bobcat Invitational at Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas, on March 27-29, or the Trinity Invitational at Trinity University in San Antonio on March 28. This diverse schedule presents a range of challenges and opportunities for the team, and they are prepared to meet them head-on.

From April 18-19, the Saints will participate in the Michael Johnson Invite at Baylor University at the Clyde Hart Track and Field Stadium in Waco, Texas.

The team will prepare for the RRAC Championship Meet, which will be held April 25-26 at the Tad Gormley Stadium in New Orleans. Xavier University of Louisiana is hosting the meet.

After the Last Chance Meet at Trinity University on May 11, qualifiers will head out to the 73rd Annual NAIA Men's National Outdoor Track and Field Championships at Indiana Wesleyan University in Marion, Ind., May 21-23.

Fan expectations

Charlton encourages fans to come out to watch the Saints play this season, as there are plenty of local events. "Even if you can make the first meet and the last meet, that would be great. We appreciate all the support from the Saints community."

Hear from Head Coach Brett Charlton as he discusses the indoor and outdoor season.