COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – The indoor track & field seasons gets underway Saturday for the Tennessee Tech women’s team, which will have 16 entries at the TSU Invitational. The meet begins at 8 a.m. in Tennessee State University’s Gentry Center.

Tech track & field coach Tony Cox will also have five members of the men’s cross country team competing in the distance events. A field of 15 team is expected to compete.

"We're anxious to compete, and we're excited about seeing some of our newcomers compete," said Tony Cox. "The entire team has worked extremely hard throughout the fall and winter, and they're looking forward to this meet.”

Among the returnees looking to make an immediate impact are senior Stephanie Place and sophomore Ashley Mayhew. Place, the OVC Runner of the Year during the cross country season, will be among the top runners in the 5,000-meter race. She will also run a leg in the distance medley relay.

Mayhew will compete in the shot put and weight throw, and could challenge school records in both events.

Cox thinks the 4x400 relay team could also push for a school record. Saturday’s lineup will include sophomores Leayn Carter and Danielle Catlett, along with freshmen Jenna Philpott and Emily Weinzetl.

A freshman from San Antonio, Weintzel will run the 400-meter run as well as the 400 leg in the distance medley relay and the anchor leg in the 4x400. Philpott is a rookie from Manchester, Tenn., who will compete in the long jump, 4x400 and run the 800-meter leg of the DMR.

“Emily is exciting to watch and she may be close to the school record in the 400,” Cox said. “Jenna is a talented and versatile athlete, and she is really going to help our team this year.”

In addition to Weinzel and Philpott, the distance medley relay foursome for Tech will include Tiffany Palmer on the 1,200-meter leg and Place in the mile.

Two notable performers who will not be in action Saturday include seniors Keri Light and Katherine Lynn. Light has a previous academic commitment, while Lynn will sit out the entire indoor season with an injury.