NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- The Christopher Newport indoor track & field season will kick off on Saturday when the Captains host their annual Holiday Open at the Freeman Center / Vince Brown Track.

CNU has high expectations for the 2012-13 indoor campaign after piecing together an outstanding season last year. During the 2011-12 indoor season, the Captains captured the men's and women's Mason-Dixon titles.

On the men's side, senior Nathan Joyce will look to anchor CNU in the sprints alongside second-year standouts Matt Gaddy and Robert Mayes. Joyce and Mayes helped guide the 4x400 relay team to the Mason-Dixon crown last year, while all three standouts pieced together strong efforts during individual events as well.

After leading the cross country team to the USA South championship in the fall, a slew of distance runners will also look to bolster the indoor squad. Ray Gamache, who earned All-Region honors for his cross country performance, will look to continue his sensational senior campaign during the indoor 5k. Donovan Lewin, Samuel Martin, and Aaron Zook should all add a veteran presence in the distance events as well.

In field events, Joseph Taylor will look to build upon his resume as one of the team's top pole vaulters after finishing third in the event during the 2012 Mason-Dixon title meet. In the jumps, newcomers Sterling Giles, Joshua Roberts, and Dominique Torres will all add fresh legs to CNU's roster.

On the women's side, Jenna Elliott returns to anchor the Captains in the high jump after capturing the Mason-Dixon title last year before earning All-American nods in the event during the outdoor season. Sophomore Enuma Ezenwa has also found success in the high jump and will join Fredsal Walker to give CNU a potent duo in the 60m hurdles.

Similar to the men, the women's team will be aided by an outstanding collection of distance runners. Junior Jessica McClelland is the most experienced member of the squad, while freshmen Lydia Cromwell, Melissa Rizor, and Alexa Tabackman are looking to continue their terrific years after excelling during the cross country campaign.

Senior Kalee Hammerton is hoping to kick off the stretch run of her career in style after taking home the Mason-Dixon title in the pole vault last season. Fellow returner Taylor McCord will also add depth in the pole vault and 400 meters.

--CNU--