CARMEL, Ind. – After an exhilarating championship title during the 2022 indoor track & field season, the Manchester University women's outdoor track & field team has been selected as the preseason favorite to win the outdoor title this spring. 

The Spartans were near unanimous favorites to win the outdoor title after receiving 99 points and nine first-place votes in Friday's poll. Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology received the lone remaining first-place vote and was picked second with 89 points. Hanover College was picked third with 82 points, while Anderson University (69 points) and Franklin College (57 points) rounded out the top half of Friday's preseason poll.

Six Spartans were named "Athletes to Watch" by the league office, all of whom had outstanding indoor campaigns earlier this winter. The distance trio of Elizabeth Lohman (2022 HCAC Indoor Women's Distance Athlete of the Year), Lauren Smith, and Hannah Brubaker all earned the recognition from the HCAC. Both Adelle Stanko and Brooke Bouwens were also named "Athletes to Watch," while Erica Mohr - the 2022 HCAC Indoor Women's Throws Athlete of the Year -  also earned the recognition and will look to have a strong outdoor season leading the throws unit.

The Spartans are scheduled to begin their outdoor season on March 18 and 19 with a two-day trip to Transylvania University. The 2022 HCAC Outdoor Track & Field Championships are scheduled for April 29 and April 30 at Hanover College.