Defiance College 2021 outdoor track season preview

DEFIANCE, Ohio - On Saturday the Defiance College men's and women's track and field program will begin the 2020-21 outdoor season at the Cedarville Yellowjacket Collegiate Open.

This season will be the first outdoor season for Defiance head coach Nathan Christianson, who was hired during the 2019-20 indoor season.

"Our goal is to continue our success from Indoor and build off it," said Christianson. "We are also excited to start having bigger meets. It will be a nice change for us and we are really excited for the start this weekend at Cedarville."

The men's team, which placed third at the Heartland Collegiate Atheltic Conference Championships in February, will feature many athletes making their collegiate outdoor track debuts, along with veteran thrower Kaleb Tyree. Tyree placed 17th at the HCAC Outdoor Championships in 2019 with a throw of 11.22 meters.

Tyree will lead a trio of throwers consisting of himself, Ron Scott, who recorded a 12th place finish in the shot put at the HCAC Indoor Championships, and newcomer Tyrel Goings.

"Our throws squad looks to be greatly improving with the addition of Tyrel Goings. Kaleb Tyree is returning for his senior season and Rontonio Scott continues to improve greatly each week. We are expecting some big things from all three of them." said Christianson.

Despite lacking the outdoor experience the Yellow Jackets are a fast team, dominating the sprinting events at the HCAC Indoor Championship. Gabriel Melvin and Ja'qway Janvier placed first and second in the 60-meters while Robert Marshall and Janvier finished second and third in the 200-meters.

"Robert also looks to make an impact in events from the 100-400 and relays. He has stepped up greatly in practices and we expect him to make a major impact at the conference championship," said Christianson.

Christianson also expects the relays to be one of the greatest strengths of the men's team, saying "Also we look to have some great relays in the 4 x 100 and 4 x 400 as the season progresses."

Other newcomers highlighted by Christianson include Tawon Cannon, Joshua Gaffney, and John Reese.

"We look to see some great things from Tawon and Joshua in the 400 hurdles among other events. We expect both to be major contributors in those events." Christianson said.

Cannon placed sixth in both the 60-meter hurdles and the 400-meters at the HCAC Indoor Championships. Gaffney competed as a member of the 4x200 and 4x400 relay teams during the indoor season and also ran the 800-meters and the 60-meter hurdles.

"John to do some things in the 3000-meter steeplechase among other events," said Christianson. Reese competed in multiple indoor events including the high jump, 800-meters, and as a member of the 4x400 relay team.

The Defiance women will be led by junior Lisa Markau, who recorded a personal best time in the 100-meter dash with a time of 13.68 at the IWU Polar Bear Invitational and competed in the HCAC Championships as a member of the relay teams in 2019. Markau placed fourth in the 60-meters and seventh in the 200-meters at the HCAC Championships last month.

"Lisa leads the way for the women and we're looking forward to seeing what she will do this outdoor season after an impressive indoor season," said Christianson.

Christianson also praised the hard work of Shi'Nique Lawrence, Destiny Oshodin, and Deleita Powell, saying "Lisa, Shi'nique, Deleita, and Destiny have all been working extremely hard and are making major improvements."

"Overall we are looking for some great things outdoors from both squads to lead in for next year," Christianson said.