WAYNESBURG, Pa. (Dec. 4) – The Waynesburg University women's track & field team brings back plenty of familiar faces across multiple events for the upcoming indoor season. Veteran head coach Chris Hardie, who is back for his sixth season at the helm, is confident that this core group of veterans, as well as a talented freshman class, will allow his squad to make a step up from last year's eighth-place finish at the Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) Championships.
 
Starting in the sprints, the Yellow Jackets are led by junior Ella Rishell (Montgomery County, Md. / Watkins Mill), who set new school records in the 200 and 400 meters as a sophomore. She also found the podium in both events at last year's conference championship meet, finishing fifth in the 200 and fourth in the 400.
 
Rishell is joined by classmate JaLisa Fuller (Latrice, Ind. / Lawrence Central), who took sixth at PAC's in the 400 with the sixth-fastest time in program history at 1:03.21. She also showed her prowess in the 800 meters by taking ninth the event (2:39.25) at Muskingum's Muskie Meet #2. Fuller was also a key cog in both the 4x400 and distance medley relay teams.
 
Senior Ella Boothe (Fredericktown, Pa. / Beth-Center) placed ninth at the conference championship meet in the 400 (1:04.47) and was a member of the Jackets' seventh-place distance medley quartet that completed the race in 13:53.40. She was also a member of Waynesburg's 4x400 meter relay unit.
 
Waynesburg should gain further depths in the sprints with the addition of freshmen Miracle Hershey (Lebanon County, Pa. / New Covenant Christian) and Adaire Settles. Hershey has already shown off her speed as a vital piece of Waynesburg's women's soccer team.
 
Moving to distance events, senior Grace Tanksley (Bedford, Ind. / Bedford North Lawrence) is coming off a fine cross country campaign that ended with her earning second-team All-PAC honors this past fall. Along with competing as an individual, Tanksley is also expected to run a leg in the DMR, as will fellow senior Lilly Ryer (Indiana, Pa. / Marion Center).
 
Freshman Erin Belveal (Bay Village, Ohio / Bay) joined Tanksley as a second-team All-PAC harrier and was twice named PAC Women's Cross Country Newcomer of the Week.
 
Settles is expected to make an impact in the hurdles, as is fellow newcomer Daniella Holley.
 
Moving from the track to the field events, Rishell and Holley are expected to lead the way in the jumps.
 
Keep an eye out for freshman Chanelle Sutton (Mount Storm, W.Va. / Union Educational Complex), who could make an impact in a wide variety of events.
 
When it comes to the throws, sophomore Maggie Clair (Canonsburg, Pa. / Canon McMillan) broke out as a freshman by placing fifth in the shot put at the PAC Championships. That mark was good enough to give her the number-four spot in program history at 11.57 meters (37-11.5).
 
Hardie was quick to note the massive improvements made by junior Rylie Baker (Weirton, W.Va. / Weir) in the weight toss and Gabby Chico in the shotput.
 
Freshman Carina Deering (Etters, Pa. / Red Land) adds to a traditionally strong event group for the program.
 
"This should be the most versatile group of athletes we have had since I took over the program during COVID," Hardie said. "We have many athletes who could compete for top eight spots at the conference meet."
 
The Jackets open indoor competition on Friday, Dec. 5, with a trip to the Youngstown State University Icebreaker presented by Southwoods Health .Start time is scheduled for 12 p.m.