TF2K23

As we march through 2022, the track and field season will be here before we know it. When December comes, Winners Only is usually at either Grand Valley State or Indiana covering some of the first indoor track meets of the season. Why wait until December. We're so ready for the track and field season that we're starting our previews in the early days of autumn. Take a break from your college football, NFL, Major League Baseball playoff pushes and even your college volleyball action. Let's take a peek at some of our favorite programs and athletes that we're most looking forward to seeing in 2023.

Breeana Bates

As a freshman, Breeana Bates had a strong debut last indoor season scoring wins in the 60 meters finals at her first three meets and 200 meters in two of her first three meets. From Dearborn, Michigan, Bates competed for her home state and qualified for the 60 meters final at the Big Ten Indoor Track & Field Championships. She was a member of the winning 400-meter relay squad at the Drake Relays with teammates Amela Wilson, Hanna Hearn and Aasia Laurencin. At the Big Ten outdoor meet she competed in the 100 meters, 200 meters and 400-meter relay. The previously mentioned teammates joined Bates at the East Preliminary Round where they competed in the 400-meter relay in the opening round.

Ziyah Holman

Ziyah Holman is a big-time winner. She debuted as a freshman during the 2021 season winning the 400 meters at the Big Ten indoor championship meet. She also snatched a silver medal as a member of the distance medley relay. From Hyattsville, Maryland, Holman and her teammates from the 2021 distance medley relay squad placed fifth at the NCAA indoor championship meet. Holman followed that by winning the 400 meters at the 2021 outdoor Big Ten championships before earning Honorable-Mention All-American honors during the outdoor season as she ran in the 400 meters prelim round of the NCAA Track & Field Championships. Holman followed that up by repeating as 400 meters champ and getting the gold in the distance medley relay with teammates Alice Hill, Aurora Rynda and Samantha Tran. During outdoor season she earned Honorable Mention All-American honors again in the 400 meters at the NCAA meet after winning a silver in the 400 meters at the Big Ten Outdoor Track & Field Championships.

Aasia Laurencin

From Southfield, Michigan, Aasia Laurencin was a Second-Team All-American in the 100-meter Hurdles last season. She recorded a top four finish at the Big Ten Outdoor Track & Field Championships before running her career best 100-meter hurdles time of 13.06 at the NCAA East Preliminary Round. Laurencin participated in the 100-meter hurdles in the preliminary round of the NCAA championships where she ran a time of 13.12. During the indoor season Laurencin won the silver medal of the 60-meter hurdles at the Big Ten Indoor Track & Field Championships at 8.27. In 2021, Laurencin was an Honorable Mention All-American as a freshman at Texas in the 100-meter hurdles.

Aurora Rynda

Aurora Rynda is a distance runner from Toronto, Ontario, Canada. She is a multiple time All-American and Big Ten champ. Rynda was named First-Team All-American in the indoor 800 meters in 2022 and the indoor distance medley relay in 2019. In 2021 and last season she earned Second-Team All-America honors in the 800 meters during outdoor season. During the 2020 indoor season she was named All-American in the distance medley relay for the second straight season. Rynda owns the Big Ten and Canadian record in the 600 meters and has won the Big Ten title in that event in 2019, 2020 and 2022. She has also won Big Ten championships in the 800 meters in 2021 and 2022 and the distance medley relay in 2020 and 2022.