EASTON, Pa. - With the men and women's indoor track team set to kick off action this weekend at the Bison Open in Lewisburg, we caught up with head coach, Michele Curcio, for the season outlook.

"Both the men and women have a young team," said Curcio. "We are looking for the young group to to gain experience quickly and sneak into the scoring area for us."

On the men's side, the Leopards return eight athletes who scored in nine events at the Patriot League Championships. Leading the pack is Samuel Fishbein, who finished third in the 35lb throw. Curcio expects Fishbein to be one of the point leaders on the team this season.

Tyler Hubeny returns as one of the most accomplished on the season, having finished fifth in the heptathlon. He is also the school record holder in the event. Behind him is Oscar Jopp, who finished eighth in the event.

In the jumping department, Jermaine Rhoden is also back coming off a strong season where he finished sixth in the high jump. Curcio expects Rhoden to be in the mix all season for the Leopards. Isaiah Moore is also one to look out for this season, as he finished one spot behind Rhoden for seventh in the high jump. Brian Kaufmann also brings a ton of experience for the Leopards as he returns coming off a seventh place finish in the long jump and eighth in the triple jump.

Along with Fishbein, the Leopards expect to have another strong year in the throwing department as Harrison Greenhill returns coming off a seventh place finish in the shot put. Between Fishbein and Greenhilll, the Leopards look to factor in and score a lot of points in these events. 

Finally Calvin Schneck also returns coming off a eighth place finish in the 1000 meter run, and looks to be a factor in many events this season.

"Overall, we look for this group to all be moving up and challenge many of our school records," said Curcio.

On the women's side, the Leopards return just two athletes who scored in the Patriot League Championship. 

Jillian Warabak headlines the group, as she is returning after a dominating first season for Lafayette. After a sixth place finish in the 60 meter hurdles last season, Warabak figures to be a main force all season.

The other scorer is Autumn Sands, who is coming off a fantastic season for the Leopards in cross country. She finished sixth in the 3000 meter run and Curcio believes she seems primed for another big year.

After that, Curcio believes some of the other key performers this season will be Katherine Ullmann (Pentathlon), Eliana Liebman (Jumps/Relays), Zoe Peerman (High Jump), Kate Mozzochi (60 meter hurdles), and Crosby Spiess (400 meter/relays).

"Overall, the team is very young with most being sophomores and first years," says Curcio. With such a young roster, Curcio really believes once they find their footing, they will be heavily involved in the team scoring.

The Bison Open begins tonight at 5:00 PM with the 60 meter hurdles and pole vault, and concludes on Saturday with the rest of the scheduled events.