By: Jason Ferro
BURNSVILLE, MINN. – The Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference released the 2024 OTDF Preseason Rankings & Players to watch today.
With Indoor Track & Field NCAA Championships concluding this past weekend, the USF Track & Field team will switch gears to outdoor events and competitions. Last year The Cougars put together some unforgettable moments late in the season with
Olivia Baumberger taking 2
nd in the Javelin &
David Ecker taking 17
th in the 3000m Steeplechase at Nationals. At the NSIC Championships the Cougars placed top 3 in 9 different events including three by the 2023 NSIC Outdoor Field Athlete of the Year,
Tyler Hiatt.
This year the Cougars are picked to finish 4
th on the Women's side after last years 5
th place finish and 9
th on the Men's side despite last years 6
th place finish. First year Head Coach
Eric Chilson feels good about the team overall as they head outdoors.
Coach Chilson on the Men's team
"USF has a good number of point scorers returning from last year and we look to improve in the team rankings. We have a well-rounded squad and depth in many event areas. Our athletes have been working hard through the fall and indoor season and we will look to continue momentum into outdoor."
Coach Chilson on the Women's team
"A good handful of place winners from the NSIC Outdoor and Indoor Championships return. The addition of more field events presents an opportunity for our team to grab more points at the conference meet. We're an upperclassmen heavy team that will look to improve our standing in the conference rankings."
This years' Players to Watch include some very familiar names: Men's Track –
Caleb Rivera, Men's Field –
Tyler Hiatt, Women's Track –
Khot Juac, Women's Field –
Olivia Baumberger.
Caleb Rivera put together multiple memorable performances during indoor season with first place finishes three times: DMR at the Maverick Premier #1, 3000m at the Ted Nelson Classic, and 800m at the Mark Schuck Open & Multi.
Coach Chilson on Caleb
"Caleb Rivera has shown drastic growth over the last two years. He's developed into the versatile distance runner and is coming off an incredible XC and Indoor season. He has the ability and range to place in multiple events at the conference level."
Tyler Hiatt nearly won every throws event at last years' outdoor conference championship and has continued his reign in the Shot Put through indoor season. The Junior will look to earn a second trip to the NCAA Championships this year after taking the trip for indoor season.
Coach Chilson on Tyler
"Tyler is the defending indoor and outdoor conference champion in the shot put. He was also the 22-23 NSIC Men's Outdoor High Point Scorer. Tyler is diligent with his training and will continue to grow as an athlete following a successful indoor season."
Khot Juac continues her unforgettable Junior year filled with school records and trips to both NCAA Championships in Cross Country and Indoor Track & Field. Juac will look complete the trifecta and cap off her season with a trip to the NCAA Championships for Outdoor Track & Field.
Coach Chilson on Khot
"Khot heads into outdoor after building momentum from the most successful women's XC season in school history. Khot finished 5th at NCAA National XC Championships. She continued to build through the indoor season, breaking school records in the mile, 3k, and DMR while also making an appearance at the NCAA Indoor National Championships in the mile."
Olivia Baumberger set the school record in the Javelin Throw at last years NSIC Championships before taking second at the NCAA Championships. This year she'll look to improve in the smallest yet largest way possible, a single placement jump from 2
nd to 1
st at both the NSIC and NCAA championships.
Coach Chilson on Olivia
"Olivia is truly an outdoor athlete. Her main event is the javelin throw. Last year at the NCAA Outdoor Championships she had a school record toss that placed her second in the nation. We look forward to seeing Liv grow in her main event."
The Cougars will open their outdoor season with a trip to Wayne, Nebraska on March 28
th and 29
th for the Wayne State Wildcat Outdoor Classic.
