Youngstown State Voted 2022 #HLTF Indoor Favorites
INDIANAPOLIS – Youngstown State is the preseason favorite for both the men’s and women’s 2022-23 #HLTF Indoor Preseason Polls. The defending champions earned eight first place votes in the men’s poll, and ten first place votes in the women’s poll. Both polls were voted on by the League’s head track and field coaches.
Youngstown State (107 points) was tabbed the men’s #HLTF preseason poll favorite after receiving eight first-place votes. The Penguins won their seventh consecutive conference title last season and were led by the Men’s Field Freshman of the Year, Elijah Nelson, who will be looking to remain the men’s pole vault champion after winning it last year. They also see the returns of Dominic Perry, who was last year’s weight throw champion, Jakari Lomax, who is the reigning triple jump champion, and Terron Taylor, who earned first place in the high jump at last year’s championship.
Milwaukee men’s team (100 points) was voted second by the League’s head coaches, and received one first place vote. The Panthers are looking to improve upon their runner-up finish at the 2022 championship this season, and Gracien Jules will look to help lead them. Jules won last year’s shot put championship, and will look to remain the champion this season.
Oakland men’s team (88 points) is projected to finish third this season. The Golden Grizzlies will see the return of Alex Hugh-Plott, who will be hoping to reclaim the high jump championship after previously winning it in 2020.
Purdue Fort Wayne men’s team (80 points) was voted to finish fourth in the league. The team will see the return of #HLTF Men’s All-Academic Team member Brent Donaldson.
Rounding out the 2022-23 #HLTF Indoor Preseason Poll for the men are Detroit Mercy (68 points) in fifth, IUPUI (66 points) was voted sixth, with Northern Kentucky (57 points) seventh, and Wright State (46 points) eighth. Detroit Mercy does see the return of Elijah Major, who was the 2022 Men’s Track Freshman of the Year.
On the women’s side, Youngstown State (131 points) earned ten first place votes and were voted as favorite in the women’s #HLTF preseason poll. The Penguins picked up their sixth consecutive title last season. The Penguins see the returns of Morgan Cole, who won the 3,000 meter and the 5,000 meter races at last year’s championship, Jahniya Bowers, who is the reigning 60 meter and 200 meter dash champion, and Nia Williams-Matthews, who will look to defend her crown as the triple jump champion. Youngstown State looks to add its seventh consecutive and its twelfth overall conference title this season.
Milwaukee women’s team was voted to finish second with 120 points, and they earned a first place vote. The team returns the 2022 Alfreeda Goff Athlete of the Year and Most Outstanding Championship Fielding Performer Natalie Block. Block won last year’s 60 meter hurdles, and the pentathlon. The Panthers also see the returns Lauren Lietzke and Kate Watson. Lietzke won last year’s shot put championship, while Watson won the pole vault championship.
The Oakland Golden Grizzlies were voted to finish in third this season, earning 111 points in the preseason poll. They see the return of Ellie Voetberg, the 2022 Women’s Track Freshman of the Year.
The women of Purdue Fort Wayne were voted to finish fourth in the league, garnering 98 points. Madison King is set to return, and after finishing as the runner-up in the 3,000 meter and the 5,000 meter, she will be looking to pick up the #HLTF titles in those events.
Northern Kentucky’s women’s team is projected to finish fifth with 83 points. The Norse will see the return of Julia Pohl, who was the 2022 Women’s Field Freshman of the Year and reigning high jump champion, and Andrea Armstrong, who was a member of the 2022 #HLTF Women’s Indoor All-Academic Team. IUPUI’s women’s team (67 points) was voted to finish sixth in the preseason poll. The Jaguars see the return of Madison Fry, who was also a member of the 2022 #HLTF Women’s Indoor All-Academic Team.
Rounding out the 2022-23 #HLTF Indoor Preseason Poll for the women are RMU (66 points) in seventh, Detroit Mercy (63 points) in eighth, Wright State (48 points) in ninth, and Cleveland State (38 points) in tenth.
The 2023 Horizon League Indoor Track and Field Championships will be hosted by Purdue Fort Wayne, February 25-26, 2023 in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
2022-23 #HLTF Men’s Indoor Preseason Poll
Pl. Team – Pts. (First-place votes)
1. Youngstown State – 107 (8)
2. Milwaukee – 100 (1)
3. Oakland – 88
4. Purdue Fort Wayne – 80
5. Detroit Mercy – 68
6. IUPUI – 66
7. Northern Kentucky – 57
8. Wright State – 46
2022-23 #HLTF Women’s Indoor Preseason Poll
Pl. Team – Pts. (First-place votes)
1. Youngstown State – 131 (10)
2. Milwaukee – 120 (1)
3. Oakland – 111
4. Purdue Fort Wayne – 98
5. Northern Kentucky – 83
6. IUPUI – 67
7. RMU – 66
8. Detroit Mercy – 63
9. Wright State – 48
10. Cleveland State – 38