ARDEN HILLS, Minn. – It's finally here! After 323 days, competitions will start up for Bethel University men's and women's track & field programs.
 
"We couldn't be more excited for this," says head coach Andrew Rock. "Like everyone, we are ready to get back to normality, and this is a huge step."

Given the circumstances of public health, there will be several modifications to ensure the health and safety of the student-athletes, coaches, officials, and staff. In accordance with COVID-19 protocols, no fans will be allowed to attend indoor meets this season at the Sports and Recreation Center.

"We feel it is responsible to stick to dual meets at this time and to split our meets by gender to reduce the number of people in the facility at a time," says Rock.

The Royals host four dual meets between January and February. Bethel will compete head-to-head against Hamline on Jan. 23, Gustavus on Feb. 6, St. Ben's/St. Johns on Feb. 20, and Hamline again on Jan. 27. The NCAA Division III Indoor National Championships is scheduled for March 12-13 at the Spire Institute in Ohio. The national meet will be contested if 60% of Division III institutions that sponsor indoor track and field plan to compete this indoor season.

Bethel hopes to send several athletes back to the national championships as they return six All-Americans. Joel Smith, Josh Sampson, and Nolan Metz have earned All-American status in the 4x400m relay for the men, as well as Hannah Sankey (4x400m relay), Mikayla Turek (4x400m relay), and Kelsie Sealock (60m hurdles) for the women.

The Royals also return several All-MIAC performers. Captain Gabe Irons leads the men's throwers and placed third in the weight throw as a sophomore last year at the MIAC Championships. Junior Lukas Walton also took third place at the MIAC Championships in his specialty – the heptathlon. Bethel also brings back Tyler Sealock, Ike Mendel who have been on runner-up relays in the conference meet.

On the women's side, BU brings a balanced attack on the track and on the field. Grace Scott (100m), Jireh Babalola (60m), and Britta Nordberg (400m) have all scored in the short sprints at the MIAC Conference Championships. Grace Perrenoud (LJ, TJ) and Sally Paul (TJ) have contributed points in the horizontal jumps, while school record holders Jessica Lilland (indoor) and Sadie Koelz (outdoor) lead the charge in the pole vault.  Returning are also MIAC Champion Lauren Wagner (javelin) in the throwing events.

In addition, BU expects contributions from several freshmen. On the men's side, "David Myers (hurdles), Jacob Parent (sprints), Reese Thompson (distance) and Noah Meissner (distance) will all be newly added threats for us. Annessa Ihde (middle distance) and AnnaGrace Nelson (jumps/hurdles) will have an immediate impact.

"I am thrilled at the attitude we have seen and the atmosphere created at practice from our athletes," says Rock. "We are so grateful for the opportunity to be together and support each other on a daily basis. We can't wait to compete together!"

The Royals kick off their season, as well as the MIAC's first competition of the turbulent academic year at home. Tune in to the live stream as the women take on Hamline Saturday at 9:15 AM with the men to follow at 1:45 p.m.