LEXINGTON, KY – The Manchester University women's track & field team put together a championship-caliber weekend at the 2025 Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference Outdoor Track & Field Championships, held April 23–25 at Transylvania University, scoring 206 points to claim the program's HCAC outdoor conference title. The Spartans edged out Rose-Hulman (200.5 points) in a tightly contested team race that came down to the final events.
Manchester delivered scoring performances in every discipline, showcasing its depth in sprints, distance, jumps and throws. The Spartans were especially dominant on the track, led by Chesnee Miller, who swept the middle-distance events by winning the 800 meters (2:17.27) and 1500 meters (4:46.83). Miller also anchored Manchester's scoring across multiple races, earning her HCAC Distance Athlete of the Year honors. In the sprints and hurdles, Coco Truelove consistently placed among the top finishers, while the 4x100-meter relay team posted a season-best 48.93 to finish second.
In the field, Manchester's throws unit proved decisive in the team standings. Abbi Kohler led the way with a conference title in the shot put (12.43m) and additional podium finishes in the discus and hammer, amassing critical points for the Spartans. Kohler's efforts earned her HCAC Throws Athlete of the Year recognition. Manchester added even more points from the throws circle as Charlotte Wilson, Katrina Sejour and Reagan Claus all contributed scoring performances throughout the weekend.
Distance depth was another major factor in the championship run. In addition to Miller, Manchester received key top-eight finishes from Ayla Cashdollar in the 1500 and 5000 meters, Kadence Fox in the 5K and 10K, and Ava Egolf, who won the 3000-meter steeplechase. Egolf also added points in the 400-meter hurdles and as part of the 4x400-meter relay, further illustrating the Spartans' versatility.
On the men's side, Manchester finished second overall with 144 points, powered by standout performances across the distance and jumps events. Gavin Byerly had one of the most impressive weekends in the conference, winning the 800 meters (1:52.53), 1500 meters (3:55.90), and 3000-meter steeplechase (9:28.42). His triple crown earned him HCAC Distance Athlete of the Year honors. In the jumps, Kenny Redd captured conference titles in both the high jump (1.92m) and long jump (7.29m), while also scoring in the sprints, securing HCAC Jumps Athlete of the Year accolades.
Manchester's success was also reflected on the coaching side, as Ben Villafuerte was honored as the HCAC Assistant Coach of the Year on the women's side, recognizing his role in guiding the Spartans' championship performances, particularly in the jumps and combined event groups.
