DEMOREST, Ga. - The Piedmont University Track & Field program is set to begin their 2024 Indoor season on Sunday, January 14th at the Emory Crossplex Showdown. Hosted by the Eagles, the event will take place in Birmingham, Ala. 
 
LAST TIME OUT:

The Lions posted record breaking performances on both sides of the program at the USC Open in 2023. Piedmont saw the DMR record fall on the men's and women's side while Jaycie Ponce set the new 800m record (2:23.26). 

DARIUS SMITH turned in a 4th place finish in the 800m, running a 1:53.60.

In the men's mile, GARY HALVERSON finished in 4th place, running a 4:23.10. Teammates LAYTON BRADFORD and Jadon Gonzales also found top 10 finishes in the men's 3k, coming in 7th (9:15.30) and 8th (9:18.61). Bradford's time was a PR for him. Bradford turned in his second top 10 finish later on in the meet as ran a 15:53.49 in the men's 5k.

Additionally, Wesley Rogers PR'ed in the men's pole vault (3.95m), ABBY MAULDIN PR'ed in the women's weight throw (11.10m), and ANNA GIBSON PR'ed (2:30.17) in the women's 800m.
 
PIEDMONT NOTES:

- Piedmont takes a major hit to their distance runner squad on the men's side, losing Darius Smith, Connor Creedon, Jacob Balot and Cole Elrod to graduation.

- 2023 Outdoor conference champion Ethan Jackson did not return to the team and is a huge loss for the program.

- On the women's side, the Lions lose their top distance runner and multiple event record holder Jaycie Ponce.

- The program welcomes 20 new freshmen to their ranks with nine coming on the women's side while 11 are from the men's side.

- The Lions have six scheduled indoor meets on their 2024 docket beginning Sunday, January 15th at the Emory Crossplex Showdown and concluding their season on Saturday, February 16th at the USC Open. 
 
PIEDMONT RETURNERS TO WATCH:

- Senior Chris Donsereaux returns for one last go around with the Lions. He set a career best time in the 60m dash during his last indoor season.

- Senior Cortney Brown returns for her final year for after a stellar 2023 season. She will play a major role in the field events for the Lions and will also look to put up another career best time in the 60m hurdles.

- Breakout performer Walker Capelle enters his senior year at Piedmont looking to improve upon the momentum he created in 2023. Posting career bests 3000m and mile during the indoor season, Capelle has gone on to set career bests in nearly every other event he's competed in since.

- After a great indoor season in 2023, Senior Kai Doyle will look to lead the team from the front of the pack. Doyle set career marks 200m and 500m dash early last season.

- A huge pickup for the program, Graduate Student Gary Halverson returns for the 2024 season. Setting career bests in the mile and 3000m, Halverson went the entire 2023 indoor season without finishing outside the top 10 in any event he competed in.

- Following a career year, junior Allie Feltus returns to Piedmont looking to continue her dominant reign over field events. Feltus set a new career best in the weight toss last season before going on to dominate field events during the outdoor season.

- Sophomore Silas Goolsby is one of the young returners for the Lions who had a great start to his career. Goolsby acquired multiple top 5 finishes in the 60m hurdles and as a member of the 4x400 team during his freshman campaign and is poised to have another solid season.

- Sophomore Skyler Seeber will look to take over the reigns on the distance side as she is the top distance runner to return. Seeber competed in just three meets during the 2023 indoor season, posting a 6th place finish in the 3000m.

- Junior Layton Bradford returns to the team as a much needed distance piece. He ran the 3000m and 5000m for the Lions during the 2023 season, posting a 7th place finish at the USC Indoor Open.

HOW TO FOLLOW:
- To stay up to date on all information regarding Piedmont University Athletics, be sure to visit PiedmontLions.com and connect with the Green and Gold on social media. Follow the Lions on Twitter: @PiedmontLions, Instagram: @PiedmontLions, and Facebook. To follow each Piedmont athletic program on social media, use the Social Media Directory at PiedmontLions.com or click here.