VT Invitational Schedule

CONWAY, S.C. - The Coastal Carolina University women's indoor track and field team starts its 2016 season this weekend as the Chanticleers compete in the Virginia Tech Invitational on Friday and Saturday, Jan. 15 and 16.

The three-time defending Big South Champion Chants were again picked as the conference favorite this season and begin the competition portion of their work toward a four-peat when they join 14 other programs in Blacksburg, Va. Also in the field are fellow Big South members Campbell and Radford, along with Clemson and SEC programs South Carolina and Tennessee, and the host Virginia Tech. Action in the meet begins Friday at 5 p.m.

A total of 20 Coastal student-athletes are scheduled to compete, including one school-record holder and four All-Big South selections from last year. Teka Simpson one of the more versatile athletes on the team and last year's Indoor conference champion and is among the entries for the high jump, 200 meters and 300 meters, and Takeyra Jenkins-Dodd, who was the 4x400 relay champion last year is among the entries 300 meter, 400 meter and the distance medley relay. In the field, triple jump champion and Outstanding Field Performer at last year's Big South Indoor Championships, Amirah Al-Bayyinah will compete in the triple jump and will be joined by Veneshia Holmes. Emma Kroger is entered in the Pole Vault where she earned all-conference honors in the 2015 outdoor championship. In addition, distance runners Kyla van Graan and Aynslee van Graan will return to competition following all-conference cross country seasons. The van Graan sisters, who both finished in the top half of the NCAA Southeast Regional meet, will run in the 3,000 meter and the distance medley relay.

"The women are capable of winning their 4th straight indoor championship, we have a lot of veteran returnees including a couple athletes that did very well outdoors but didn't score at the indoor meet," head coach Jeff Jacobs said. "In addition we have some talented freshman that should help. However we still have a lot of work to do in practice and the meets prior to the championship in order to be successful."

Seven newcomers are scheduled to make their Coastal debuts in the meet. Anacia Hines who was a West Virginia State Champion in the 100 meter, 200 meter and 110 meter hurdles will run in the 60 meter hurdles. Lisha Van Onselen qualified for the 1,500 meter at the South African Senior National Championships will run in the mile run and distance medley. Kelsey Briggs, Alexis Zehner, Rozelle Meier, TeeAsiah Vance and Jonnay Anthony will all also compete in the Virginia Tech Invitational this weekend.

Live results for the meet are available HERE (http://www.flashresults.com).