2022 Preview: Grace Track & Field Set For First Year Under Moffitt
January 10, 2022 at 11:46 p.m.
2022 Preview: Grace Track & Field Set For First Year Under Moffitt
By Josh Neuhart-
The Lancers are coming off a banner year after both the men’s and women’s teams reached new heights. Grace’s men won the NCCAA outdoor national championship in 2021, while the women claimed second.
“It’s always a unique experience when you join a new program,” said Moffitt. “I’m trying to build on the positives and the strengths of the team, while also introducing my own personal philosophy and coaching style. I’m very fortunate to be here and it’s a blessing to pour into these young men and women.”
Moffitt inherits a program that produced 27 school records a year ago and welcomes back a majority of its athletes.
“Both the men and women have the goal to see continued growth and show that we belong in the conversation of the elite programs in the NAIA,” commented Moffitt. “We want to focus on doing the little things right and training with a clear purpose and goal in mind. If we stick to that mentality, the results we are striving for will happen naturally.”
An experienced men’s team is led by a stellar group of eight seniors. Among them is Isaac Brown, Kyle Smith, Luke Smith and John Green.
Brown is a 3-time NAIA All-American in the high jump, while Kyle and Luke Smith have earned three NAIA All-American awards (4x800-meter relay).
Green set the Crossroads League record in the indoor 200 and holds a total of six Grace records in the sprints.
Several other returning athletes will to make an impact this year for the Lancers. They include: Connor Kitson, Maurice Macklin, Korry Hamlin, Bryan Hernandez-Rios, Isaac Beatty, Logan Rufenacht, Dimitri Margaritidis, Tanner Sallee, Isaac Findley, and Michael Williams.
“We have a lot of talent across the board and the men have been pushing each other,” said Moffitt. “It will be fun to see all that hard work pay off.”
The Lancer women have a smaller senior class, but still boast a wide range of experienced performers.
Seniors Nordia Campbell and Heather Plastow have made multiple trips to NAIA nationals and both have claimed All-American honors.
Campbell holds Grace school records in the sprints and relays, while Plastow has excelled in the mile and distance events.
Other athletes to watch this year include: Olivia Lugibihl, Lyne Camara, Michaela Buriff, Elizabeth Moore, Mackenzie DeLong, Mallory Hiatt, Zoe Huley Gracious O’Connor, Anna Hulstedt, and Kiara Gill
“Our women’s team does a great job of showing up focused, and ready to work,” said Moffitt. “They hold each other accountable and I’m excited to see how they all grow and develop.”
There are 26 newcomers on the Grace roster this season, and several will look to make an impact.
For the men, freshman Noah Zimmerman is expected to provide immediate help in the horizontal jumps. Justin Van Prooyen and Brandon Kleber are coming off strong cross country seasons and should bolster the distance squad.
On the women’s side, freshman Kylie Sauder excelled in cross country, earning NAIA All-American honors and will be a force in the middle-distance events.
Hurdler Madelyn Yoder and thrower Lanae Crowe should also excel in their first year.
The Lancers have already tasted success with early-season indoor meets this past December.
Kyle Smith set a school record in the 800 (1:53.04) and qualified for the NAIA Indoor National Championships.
Isaac Brown hit the NAIA qualifying mark in the high jump (6-feet-9.5) and Bryan Hernandez-Rios qualified in the mile (4:19.92).
For the women, Kylie Sauder opened her Lancer track career with a school record and NAIA qualifying mark in the 3,000 meter (10:24.61). Heather Plastow hit the qualifying time in the mile (4:12.85).
“We have some great meets lined up that will really push us. Our goal is always to keep athletes healthy and have them continually grow and develop. We’re already seeing some great things,” added Moffitt. “It’s an exciting time to be a Lancer.”
Grace will return to action at the Sean Brady Invitational at Trine University on Saturday.
The Lancers are coming off a banner year after both the men’s and women’s teams reached new heights. Grace’s men won the NCCAA outdoor national championship in 2021, while the women claimed second.
“It’s always a unique experience when you join a new program,” said Moffitt. “I’m trying to build on the positives and the strengths of the team, while also introducing my own personal philosophy and coaching style. I’m very fortunate to be here and it’s a blessing to pour into these young men and women.”
Moffitt inherits a program that produced 27 school records a year ago and welcomes back a majority of its athletes.
“Both the men and women have the goal to see continued growth and show that we belong in the conversation of the elite programs in the NAIA,” commented Moffitt. “We want to focus on doing the little things right and training with a clear purpose and goal in mind. If we stick to that mentality, the results we are striving for will happen naturally.”
An experienced men’s team is led by a stellar group of eight seniors. Among them is Isaac Brown, Kyle Smith, Luke Smith and John Green.
Brown is a 3-time NAIA All-American in the high jump, while Kyle and Luke Smith have earned three NAIA All-American awards (4x800-meter relay).
Green set the Crossroads League record in the indoor 200 and holds a total of six Grace records in the sprints.
Several other returning athletes will to make an impact this year for the Lancers. They include: Connor Kitson, Maurice Macklin, Korry Hamlin, Bryan Hernandez-Rios, Isaac Beatty, Logan Rufenacht, Dimitri Margaritidis, Tanner Sallee, Isaac Findley, and Michael Williams.
“We have a lot of talent across the board and the men have been pushing each other,” said Moffitt. “It will be fun to see all that hard work pay off.”
The Lancer women have a smaller senior class, but still boast a wide range of experienced performers.
Seniors Nordia Campbell and Heather Plastow have made multiple trips to NAIA nationals and both have claimed All-American honors.
Campbell holds Grace school records in the sprints and relays, while Plastow has excelled in the mile and distance events.
Other athletes to watch this year include: Olivia Lugibihl, Lyne Camara, Michaela Buriff, Elizabeth Moore, Mackenzie DeLong, Mallory Hiatt, Zoe Huley Gracious O’Connor, Anna Hulstedt, and Kiara Gill
“Our women’s team does a great job of showing up focused, and ready to work,” said Moffitt. “They hold each other accountable and I’m excited to see how they all grow and develop.”
There are 26 newcomers on the Grace roster this season, and several will look to make an impact.
For the men, freshman Noah Zimmerman is expected to provide immediate help in the horizontal jumps. Justin Van Prooyen and Brandon Kleber are coming off strong cross country seasons and should bolster the distance squad.
On the women’s side, freshman Kylie Sauder excelled in cross country, earning NAIA All-American honors and will be a force in the middle-distance events.
Hurdler Madelyn Yoder and thrower Lanae Crowe should also excel in their first year.
The Lancers have already tasted success with early-season indoor meets this past December.
Kyle Smith set a school record in the 800 (1:53.04) and qualified for the NAIA Indoor National Championships.
Isaac Brown hit the NAIA qualifying mark in the high jump (6-feet-9.5) and Bryan Hernandez-Rios qualified in the mile (4:19.92).
For the women, Kylie Sauder opened her Lancer track career with a school record and NAIA qualifying mark in the 3,000 meter (10:24.61). Heather Plastow hit the qualifying time in the mile (4:12.85).
“We have some great meets lined up that will really push us. Our goal is always to keep athletes healthy and have them continually grow and develop. We’re already seeing some great things,” added Moffitt. “It’s an exciting time to be a Lancer.”
Grace will return to action at the Sean Brady Invitational at Trine University on Saturday.
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