NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- The Christopher Newport track & field program will kick off the 2025-26 campaign on Saturday when the Captains host the CNU Holiday Open at the Freeman Center.

Action gets underway with the men's weight throw at 9 a.m. Two hours later, track disciplines begin with the women's 5000. 

For those fans unable to attend the competition, live results and a video stream of the action will be available at CNUsports.com. Direct links to both features can be found at the top of this release and on the schedule page.

In addition to the Captains, fellow Coast-to-Coast Athletic Conference members Salisbury and Regent will have representatives at the meet, while St. Mary's (Md.) and several other local and regional organizations will take part in the action.

Making their season debut, more than 50 Captains are currently entered in at least one event on Saturday. Among the standouts prepared to make their first appearance of the year, three reigning indoor league champions will look to begin their title defenses on Saturday. On the women's side, Ashley Eley is slated to take part in four disciplines, including the triple jump, which she has captured at the conference meet during each of the past two years.

For the men, Leo Brennan and Daniel Young are also back after winning indoor crowns last year. Brennan swept both the long jump and triple jump at the 2025 winter championships, while Young walked away with the shot put title.

Additionally, three Captains are back in the meet after posting the top effort at last year's Holiday Open. Twelve months ago, Eley won the high jump during the competition, while Seth Morris captured the shot put. Meanwhile, Lily Knowles eclipsed 2.93 meters in the pole vault, which equaled the highest clearance at the meet.

Following this weekend's action, CNU will have a lengthy layoff over the winter break before returning for the VMI Team Challenge in Lexington, Virginia on January 17.

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