WESTERVILLE, Ohio – The Otterbein University women's track and field team recently began its process of getting back to full swing, gearing up for what many expect to be another exciting season across indoor and outdoor competition.

The Cardinals, led by third-year head coach Dara Ford, will feature approximately 45 student-athletes on the roster and look to build on some notable finishes from last season. Otterbein finished runner-up at the Division III All-Ohio and Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) Indoor Championships last winter before taking third at both outdoor meets.

"We have a young group at this point," Ford explained. "We are certainly a top-three team in this conference but are still missing some pieces. It's tough to tell how things might shake out until you get into the thick of it. Distance and pole vault will be our strength."

More than 70 percent of the team is freshmen or sophomores, most notably on the sprints side, but the squad does return 12 different All-OAC performers. Headlining the group is senior Jenna D'Errico, a two-time national qualifier in the pole vault, and sophomore Claire Lamb, an indoor national qualifier in the mile run and two-time OAC 'Runner of the Year' in cross country. Lamb is also the defending OAC outdoor champion in the 5,000 meters.

In addition, other All-OAC returnees include Heather Sandvik (indoor 3,000 meters and OAC steeplechase champion), Sarah Koch (DMR and 500 meters), Shyla Cummings (4x2 and 200 meters), Alexis Snyder (DMR), Madison MacElrevey (800 meters), Carmen D'Ippolito (4x2), Alex Winter (10,000 meters), Kira Judd (10,000 meters), Sarah Bedell (400 hurdles) and Lindsey Ruff (4x8 relay).

"Every year is different, but this is definitely a hard-working group" Ford said of the team dynamic. "Our freshmen possess a talent and work ethic that has brought everything to the next level. We'll see what the team culture ends up being and how we mesh as the season moves forward."

The group recently launched its schedule at the Tiffin Alumni Open on December 3, a meet that was not scored but did give a handful of Cardinals the chance to test themselves against outside competition.

"It showed us that we still have a lot of work to do, but it was a good check-in to see where some people are at," Ford said. "It was a good opening meet for pole vault and we probably have the best throws squad in years. We'll see how things grow from here."

Freshmen sprinters Racquel Warner and Macie Wright are expected to contribute right away, while the coaching staff is also excited to welcome promising thrower Erica Zimmer to the mix. Classmates Allison Rogiers and Allison Currey should add nice depth to the distance crew, which will also feature second team All-OAC cross country performer Katy Foltz.

"My expectations are that people go out there to compete hard, and let everything else fall into place," Ford said. "Whatever happens after that will happen. I think the women may have put too much pressure on themselves last year during indoor, and then the disappointment of coming up short carried into outdoor season a little bit."

The team will look to stay in good form during the holiday break before getting to work at the Otterbein Invitational come Saturday, January 14 inside the Clements Recreation Center.