MARSHFIELD, Mass. – The Southern Vermont College outdoor track & field team is a little over five weeks away from its first meet of the 2019 season, and the Mountaineers are working through the New England winter in order to get ready.
This year will be the first time that the squad has a league title to shoot for as the New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) started sponsoring the sport for this season. Coaches from around the league voted SVC to place fourth at the May championship as announced on Wednesday through the release of the NECC's preseason poll—receiving one of the five first-place nods.
Southern Vermont second-year head coach Jarrett Blankenship is eager to see his team reach its potential and its ability to win some events at the Conference meet.
"I am looking forward to seeing several personal bests set this year," Blankenship said. "We are excited about everyone's individual goals being met."
Expected to be leading the Mountaineers is junior Davante Smith (Ellenville, N.Y.) who is already ranked highly on a handful of the team's record lists. He is the current all-time leader for the 10000 meter race with a 37:21.03, and he's also atop the 800 meter run list with a 1:59.15.
"Davante is looking to be a favorite as the NECC 800 meter champion," Blankenship said, "and hopefully he will qualify for the Division III New England regional meet."
High expectations are also being made for freshman Osman Padilla (El Paso, Texas) who will look to make an immediate impact for the team and its record books. He and Smith are anticipated to be the anchors on a squad which will need a well-rounded effort in order to make a run at being the top squad at the Conference meet.
"We will need a variety of events covered in order to place well at the NECC championships," Blankenship added.
The Mountaineers are slated to start the season at Wesleyan University's Spring Classic on March 23, and they have another four events afterwards to prepare for the NECC Championships. The league meet is set to take place at Regis College on April 28.
Newbury College was tabbed to narrowly take home the trophy with the most points in the preseason poll and two of the first-place votes.
NECC 2019 Men's Track & Field Preseason Poll
1. Newbury College – 21 (2)
2. Elms College – 18 (1)
3. Eastern Nazarene College – 16 (1)
4. Southern Vermont College – 12 (1)
5. Lesley University – 8
(Parentheses denote first-place votes)
– #LetsGoSVC –