Stephen Slezak, Campus Carrier asst. sports editor
The 2024-25 track and field seasons have kicked off for both the men’s and women’s indoor teams. Both teams look to build on their past accomplishments and climb to the top of the Southern Athletic Association (SAA).
Luke Syverson is back for his ninth season as head coach of both the men’s and women’s teams. Syverson is a three-time SAA coach of the year and has led the Vikings to three consecutive men’s outdoor SAA championships. Since being hired, Syverson has coached 72 total men’s and women’s individual and relay SAA champions. Syverson has strong optimism for this upcoming year despite some setbacks.
“Our men’s team is a little smaller, we have had some injuries,” Syverson said. “We’re not the team that I thought we were going to have in June. That’s going to be a little challenging for the guys. I think we are still really good. I know we are still a top two team. We have the desire and talent to contest for a fourth title in a row.”
Syverson is also expecting a good season from the women’s side.
“Our women have the best chance at winning their first title that we’ve had,” Syverson said. “We have got most of our women back from last year and added some really good freshman. Obviously, the women distance runners winning the cross-country title in the fall gives a little bit of momentum and some belief that we can beat Centre.”
Senior Isabella Tedesco is looking forward to this year’s women indoor and outdoor season and the challenges facing the Vikings.
“I’m really excited for this season because it’s a fresh start, and there’s so much potential for growth,” Tedesco said. “I’m looking forward to challenging myself to set new [personal records] and seeing how much I’ve improved from last year. The team has a great dynamic, and we all push each other to do our best, which makes every practice and meet feel more meaningful.”
The women’s indoor and outdoor teams are headlined by Macy Murdock, who represented Berry at the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Outdoor Championship meet in the 400 hurdles.
“Macy had a breakout season last year as a sophomore,” Syverson said. “She was our conference champion in both the 100 [meter] and 400 [meter] hurdles, and she will want to defend that. She is the top returning hurdler in our conference as a junior.”
Senior Jahari Jones leads the men’s team for his final year. Jones has been a recipient of First Team All-SAA in the 400 meter, SAA Champion in the 400 meter, and First Team All-American along with many other accolades. Jones has high goals set in his mind for this year.
“Winning a national title in my respective events has been a goal of mine for a while,” Jones said. “On the track, I would love to be able to help bring a relay team to nationals. Off the track, my biggest goal is to be a servant of the Lord by helping build a stronger community of followers of Christ on this team.”
Syverson thinks highly of Jones and is looking forward to this season for the senior.
“Jahari has always been a competitor,” Syverson said. “Each year has been successful but successful in a different way. This year our plan is focusing on the 200, last year he finished eighth in the 200 but we did not make finals in the 400. This year he is the top returning sprinter in our conference in the 100, 200, 400.”
Senior Alden McDonald is another name to look out for in this upcoming season. McDonald finished as second team All-SAA and second team All-American in the outdoor pole vault while also being a first team All-American in the indoor pole vault.
“Alden McDonald in the pole vault is a three-time men’s qualifier,” Syverson said. “He is looking to qualify in both indoor and outdoor NCAA championships in the vault. He competed at two NCAA championships last year on a broken wrist that we did not know about till after the indoor season.”
To work through indoor and outdoor seasons, a strong work ethic is needed from the participants of the teams. To also attain success and set a strong standard for the teams requires a sense of togetherness from those involved.
“Our team’s success really comes down to our strong sense of teamwork which is fueled by our coaches,” Tedesco said. “We all push each other to be better, not just during races but also in practice.”
Jones also feels that his team has a strong connection with each other and that benefits them in competition.
“There’s so many different events that produce different types of people and personalities,” Jones said. “The ability to bring a great group of guys together for one cause and for one another is huge. It’s us versus them, not us versus us.”
The indoor season kicked off last December, with the bulk of the season taking place in January. The SAA indoor championships take place Feb. 28 and March 1, with the NCAA indoor championships taking place on March 14 and 15. The outdoor season follows with the SAA outdoor championships April 25 and 26, and the NCAA outdoor championships May 22, 23 and 24.