After a 3^rd place finish at the 2020 Indoor National Championships, the Warrior men look to 2021 and the chance to chase their 6^th Indoor National Championship and first Outdoor National Championship since 2016. The men have finished in the top four of every championship since 2012. A young team this past season, the Warriors will look to improvements within the team and a talented crop of incoming athletes to try and once again sit atop the NAIA podium. The Warriors will be paced by multi time All-American hurdler and sprinter Coby Bailey. He will look to rebound from an injury that cost him the 2020 indoor season. Rising sophomore Zach Daniels finished 9^th at the 2020 Indoor Championships and is coming off running the 8^th fastest time in program history. Three redshirt freshmen will look to take the next steps in their career and make a bigger impact in 2021; Colin Dillon, Stuart Adkinson, and Javon Sanders all came in as highly decorated high school hurdlers.

The new group is led by Butler Community College transfer Tard Smith Jr. (8.14 60h/55.43 400h) who brings a strong background of college hurdling with him. Not to be outdone the freshman group and is also incredibly strong! Collins Mokuah (14.63/39.72), Diego Sekiyama-Nava (14.83/39.01), Solomon Henderson (39.77), Maurice Patrick (40.44), and Caleb Durden (15.18 110h/21-1 LJ) all had strong junior campaigns at the high school level.

Coach Edgar on the hurdles: "First, with our returning group we have two of the best hurdlers in the country with Coby and Zach, both guys have a great chance at Breaking Robert Rose's school record of 7.97. Our three redshirt freshmen will be difference makers this year. They had last year to adjust to college hurdling, now we need them to take the next steps in their progression and contribute to this year's team. I know our new group will be hungry after missing out on their senior seasons. Tard's college experience is huge for us. Diego and Collins come in ready to help us in both hurdles right away, while the other freshman have a great opportunity to develop and be contributing quickly to the program. Coach Wheeler has a full stable of hurdlers and I know he'll get the most from this group!" Returning another strong group, the sprinters should once again be a strength of the Warrior program. Leading the way for the returning group is school record 400 runner Jordan Highsmith. He is joined by a trio of rising sophomores who had strong freshman debuts last season; Zayquan Lincoln, Michael Warner, and Daunte O'Banion, who all look to develop on their All-American freshman campaigns. Many other freshmen did not to complete a full year and should develop in their second year of college running.

Headlining the incoming group is freshman Miles Gray (48.43/1:59.20/39.40 30h). He should step in and fill the shoes by graduating senior Barthelemy Peter. Several other freshmen boast strong junior year times and should develop into strong runners for the Warriors. Nathan Hurbough (50.42), Marquis Edwards (50.46), and Evin Mcnew (49.87) boast the best incoming freshman 400 times. Leading the transfer group is Dillan Elkins (10.64/21.03/47.08) who brings him multiple NAIA All-Americans and a 4x100 National Championship. Also look for Kevin Milligan who previously ran for Xavier University (49.8). Top times from the short sprint group include: Jackson Jones (11.01/22.34), Kumari Rush (11.05/22.79), and Chaqwan Williams (11.2/22.76).

Coach Edgar on sprints: "We will rely heavily on our sophomore class and will only be as good as they are. Jordan had a great indoor season and should be a National Title contender in the 400 this year. Michael and Daunte should take the next steps towards individual scoring after contributing to our 4x400 this past year. Zayquan showed he can score as an individual and now is ready to be a strong 1-2 punch with Coby. Miles comes in as a decorated sprinter and I think he has podium potential right away. Dillan gives us leadership and has shown he is a big performer from his time at Tennessee Wesleyan. A lot of our other incoming freshman would have run significantly faster as seniors and I'm confident they will shock a lot of people with the performances they will run this year." Double All-American Malik Johnson and WHAC high point award scorer Shomari Somerville lead another strong jumps crew for the Warriors. They are joined by high jump All-Americans Dylan Bikim and Victor Dailey. Josh Ballard, Kaden Branam, Peyton Phillips, and Trey Cabbagestalk all look to take steps forward in the returning group.

Nathaniel Fisher (6-1), Dezman White (6-2), and Paden Grover (6-2) lead the incoming group for the Warriors in the high jump.  While multi event talent Johnquiez Gurrier (23-3/14.35 110h) and Indiana native, Quiten Mctoy (22-10), should make an immediate impact on the long jump group. Pima Community College transfer Jaylen Coleman (48-11) and TWU transfer Neville Smith (47-11) will be the top triple jumper in the new class.
In the pole vault, look for steps forward from returning athletes Austin Smith, Tyler Nunez, and Drennan Sorrell. Incoming freshman Samuel Reagin (12-6) and Kendrack Finley will look to make an immediate impact for the Warriors.

Coach Edgar: "We have a lot of returning talent here and need to take the next steps towards scoring big points at the National meet. Malik is one of the best combo jumpers in the country and Shomari has the chance to be a two-event scorer as well. We have five high jumpers indoor that have National experience, we will expect a lot from that group. The new group, while not large, is very talented and can make a quick impact at both the Conference and National Level.  Neville and Jaylen have Collegiate Nationals All-Americans to their name and will be huge for us. If our freshman can buy in from day one and develop, look out!" Coming off two National qualifiers during the 2020 indoor season, the throws group continues to show improvement and adds several new faces in 2020.

Daniel Buell and Jameson Baker got a taste of Nationals last year and will look to return to Brookings in March. Javelin specialist Kolten Lauer looks to return to the 2019 form that saw him PR by over 10 meters and just miss the National standard.
New to the group Jacob Tharp (39-8/124-1) and Kyle Wood (36-0/95-5) will look to develop into strong college throwers.

Coach Edgar: "Coach Bailey did a great job developing our throwers last season. I'm excited to see all three guys get to throw outdoor this year where they should really shine. This group should expect to be back on the podium at the 2021 meet." A strong returning crew that saw the Warriors qualify in both the 4x8 and DMR lead the middle-distance group for the Warriors. Dylan Cerny, Jamir Ferguson, and Phil Selmer ran strong legs for the Warriors this past season, while senior Kudzani Karawira will look to capitalize on some strong regular season times over the past 3 years. Look for transfer Alex Vandor (1:51.99/49.45) to help bolster this group.

Coach Edgar: "Alex should come in and push this group over the top. He has a strong background of college running and with what we saw from Jamir, Dylan, and Phil last season we should have a very dynamic 4 x 800."
 
Final thoughts: "This year's team will rely heavily on the development of our freshmen and sophomores from last season. We believed a lot in our returning group and only sought out specific holes in our roster to fill, I felt that we had the athletes here to fill the spots of our graduating seniors. We need our throws, middle distance, and high jump group to take steps forward and support the sprints, hurdles, and long jump/triple jump group. We return 28 points from last season's National Championship, return some strong athletes from injury, and have multiple athletes who just missed scoring last year. I know the group will be hungry coming off a 3^rd place finish this past season and our staff is excited to get to work!"
 
Please see below for the current recruiting class to date:

Name	Location	Previous school
Abdul Koromo	Centreville, VA	Centreville HS
Alex Vandor	Romania	Southwestern CC
Caleb Durden	Fortville, IN	Hamilton SE HS
Chaqwan Williams	Crown point, IN	Crown point HS
Christopher Thomas	kokomo, IN	Kokomo HS
Collins Mokuah	Brooklyn Park, MN	Ossea HS
Darrin Nihiser	Convoy, OH	Crestview HS
Dezman White	Lousiville, KY	Waggener Traditonal HS
Diego Sekiyama-Nava	Boise, ID	Renaissance HS
Dillan Elkins		Tennessee Wesleyan
Dylan harris	Belleville, MI	Belleville HS
Evin mcNew	Corbin, KY	Corbin HS
Jackson Jones	Fort Washington, MD	Frederick Douglas HS
Jacob Braham	East Liverpool, OH	Beaver Local HS
Jacob Tharp	Laurel, IN	Franklin County
Jahsun Couzan	Gary, IN	Calumet HS
Jakil Jelks	Merrillville, IN	Thea Bowman academy
Jayden Tillman	Mount Clemens, MI	Mount Clemens HS
Jaylen Coleman	Scottsdale, AZ	Pima CC
Johnquiez Gurrier	Nashville, TN	KIPP Nashville Collegiate
Jordan Smith	Claymont, DE	Girard HS
Kaleb Frank-warren	Lothian, MD	Southern Senior HS
Kamari Rush	romeoville, IL	Romeoville, HS
Karon Hobbs	Suitland, MD	Suitland HS
Kendrack Finley	Silvis, IL	United Township HS
Kevin Milligan	Marlton, NJ	Xavier U.
Kyjuan Pitts	Decatur, IL	Douglas Macarthur HS
Kyle Wood	Fort Wayne	Smith School
Lekendric Brown	Eaton, OH	Eaton HS
Marquis Edwards	Pensacola, FL	Escambia HS
Maurice Patrick	Merrillville, IN	Merrillville HS
Miles Gray	Brandywine, MD	Frederick Douglas HS
Nathan Boyle	Harrison City, PA	Penn-Trafford HS
Nathan Hurbough	Granger, IN	Penn HS
Nathaniel Fisher	Portage, IN	Portage HS
Neville Smith		Tenn Wesleyan
Nicholas Garban	Las Vegas, NV	Northwest career HS
Noah Frock	Albuquerque, NM	Sandia HS
Paden Grover	Montour Falls, NY	Odessa-Montour HS
Prinvio Hancock	Norfolk, VA	Norview HS
Quinten Mctoy	Highland, IN	Highland HS
Samuel Reagin	Danville, IN	Danville HS
sean Fuchs	Fort wayne, IN	Homestead HS
Solomon Henderson	Benton harbor, MI	Berrian Springs HS
Tard Smith	Plantation, FL	Butler CC
Trent Mead	Madison heights, MI	Bishop Foley HS
Tyler Hooiser	Detroit, MI	University High school
Uchechi Obasi	Burr Ridge, IL	Hinsdale South

  Coming off a 3^rd place finish at the 2020 Indoor Championship the women's program will be chasing their 4^th National Titles and first Indoor Title since 2017.  The women's program has finished in the top four of every National Championship since 2012. The women's hurdles have been a dominant force in the NAIA over the last decade and this year's group looks to be no different. Returning from her 3^rd place finish in the 60-meter hurdles (and 13^th in the pent) is Kylin Nichols. 2019 60-meter hurdles National Champion Leondra Correia returns after missing the 2020 indoor season and is joined by the return of multi-time hurdle All-American Shakira Kellam (formerly Allen) to give the Warriors a strong core of All-Americans. Two more National qualifiers return with Renique Smith (9^th in pent in 2019) and Mary Leighton (five- time National qualifier) joined by jumper and hurdler Katelyn Jones. Look for improvements from returners Angelica Bailey and Markeita Denson-Beckum. Mikayla Floyd leads the new group for the Warriors.

Coach Edgar: "This group of hurdlers has a chance to be truly special.  We have five or six women with finals expectations at the National meet and all are dynamic across multiple events. With so much fire power returning, the young group has a chance to come in, learn, and develop as collegiate hurdlers." The Warriors bring back all their fire power from the 2020 Indoor Championships and have one of the strongest incoming groups in program history.  Three event All-American (60,200,LJ) Doneasha Brewer is joined by several returning All-Americans; Derica Gibson, Antonishka Deveaux, Sha'Londa Terry, Jacqueline Scott, Kayla Moody, and Destinee Mcgrady. Multi-time National qualifier Aaliyah Brown will look to improve on her 12^th place in the 60 at the 2019 Indoor Championships. Other returners to look for include Olaide Olapade, Kennedy Moonin, and Cheyenne Dunn.

The new group has a strong mix of both transfer athletes and dynamic freshmen who make immediate impacts right away. The transfer group is headlined by XuXa Peart (54.41) and Jo'Deci Irby (58.19/1:39.90). Top incoming freshmen include Lashonti Knight (12.01/25.35), Lauryn Hunt (25.23/57.17), Brianna Tillman (25.79/58.57), Cierra Gibson-Mathis (12.24/26.13), Soyinne Grynion (11.88/24.72), Tajanae Allison (60.29) and Jamaya Warthen (12.5)

Coach Edgar: "Our returning group gained a ton of valuable experience over the past two seasons. We return five of the top ten 200-meter runners from the Indoor Championship. Kayla and Destinee were improving by leaps and bounds every week and will be podium contenders this year in the 400. Jo'Deci and Xuxa come to us with NAIA Nationals experience and are big time performers. The freshmen group run times as juniors suggest they can run with the top girls right away. This group's time is now and it's as deep as we have been since the back-to-back title teams of 2013-14. If this group can come together, support one another, and work at a high level, the sky is the limit." The jumps group will again be a major strength of the Warrior program. Multi-time National Champion Destiney Copeland is back and will be a contender in the long and triple jump. All-Americans Nekeima Obike, Doneasha Brewer, and Lenea Ludy are joined by National qualifiers Katelyn Jones and Mariam Davis. Look for improvements from returners Claire Young, Jeremea Denison, and Mary Catherine Lee.

The new group is led by Erica Xayarath (5-6/17-9), Carlie Turner (18-10.5/58.45 400), Domanique Douglas (35-11/60.71 400), and Katelyn Sebring (4-10/50.3 300h).
The pole vault group sees last year's group return intact and newcomers Juliette Carel (11-6) and Emma Varkalis (9-2.25) who will both add talent and depth to the group.

Coach Edgar: "Coach Roark has an amazing group to work with this year. They are deep, talented, and extremely hard working. This group should have the expectation to score big points in all four jumps! I don't think our jumps group has ever been this deep and well-rounded. Our returners have shown that they are ready to lead these talented newcomers." The group has had a strong presence at the Conference meet and looks poised to take steps forward in 2020. Returners Ebony Butler, Cherokee Bodell, Tori Todd, and Savannah O'Neil look to take over for graduating senior Raven Morris. Newcomer Gracie Clute (33-10 shot/31-10 weight) is ready to contribute.

Coach Edgar: "Our women's throws group has done a great job developing during their freshman and sophomore years and now are ready to take the lead of the group. Gracie has tons of potential and should see a big jump in her PR's this year." Last year's team qualified for the National Championship in the 4x800 and expects to make a return trip. Angie Sanchez, Lilly Griewe, Kara Kline, Krista Boese, Lily Rothert, Nyla Taylor and Mikayla Dunn return from last year's group and look to make their own mark this year. Expect freshman Brianna Rivas (2:26.9) to be a consisten contributor this year as well.
Loanie Cellard comes to the Warriors as a race walk specialist and has National Title hopes from day one.

Coach Edgar: "Losing Alexis is a big loss, but our returners have the ability to step up! We really need to see them take steps forward and take the reins of the middle-distance group. Loanie gives us a dimension previous teams did not have, and we are excited to see her come in and contend for race walk National Titles right away."
 
Final Thoughts: "This team has a chance to be truly special. We bring back 53 points from last year and get National Level athletes like Leondra, Shakirah, and Renique back. Xuxa comes in with multiple National Titles and will help set the tone in our 400 group. We have talent in every event category and are multiple athletes deep in nearly every event. If this group supports each other, works hard every day, and reaches their full potential, they could be one of the top teams in program history. There is no doubt this group should have National Title expectations for themselves."
 
Full women's class

Name	Location	Previous school
Lashonti Knight	Oklahoma City, OK	Del City HS
Brianna Rivas	Lafayette, IN	McCutcheon HS
Kaylee Fisher	Brooklyn Park, MN	Park Center HS
Gracie Clute	Liberty Township	Lakota East HS
Emily Croke	Boyton Beach, FL	W. Boca Raton HS
Erica Xayarath	Fort Wayne, IN	Wayne HS
Lauryn Hunt	Ypsitlanti, MI	Saline HS
Brianna Tillman	Augusta, GA	Academy of Richmond
Katelyn Sebring	Fort Wayne, IN	Heritage HS
Emma Varkalis	Lockport, IL	Lockport Tesp HS
Cierra Gibson-Mathis	Oakland, CA	Envision Academy
Azalea Torres	Wisconsin Dels, WI	Wisconsin Dels HS
Mikayla Daniels	Coal Grove, OH	Dawson-Bryant HS
Tajanae Allison	Plainefiled, IL	Oswego East HS
Juliette Carel	France
Domanique Douglas	Orlando, FL	Dr Phillips HS
Trinity Baker	Fort Wayne, IN	Snider HS
Jo'Deci rby	Fort Wayne, IN	Taylor U.
Mikayala Floyd	Kentwood, MI	E. Kentwood
Carlie Turner	snellville, GA	Brookwood HS
Loanie Cellard	France
Soyinne Greynion	Hyattsville, MD	Northwest High School
Jamaya Warthen	palmetto, GA	West Georgia College