MOUNT VERNON – Cornell's track & field teams will build around the return of 12 all-Midwest Conference performers as the Rams open a promising 2024-25 indoor season this week on their home track.
 
The Rams welcome Mount Mercy, Luther, Upper Iowa and Culver-Stockton to the Cornell Winter Classic Friday in the arena of the Small Athletic and Wellness Center. Action gets underway at 4:30 p.m. with field events, followed by running events at approximately 6:30 p.m.
 
"I'm excited to get the indoor season started," said third-year head coach Jerry Monner, whose Rams have established 18 school records since his arrival on the Hilltop. "We've added some good depth to our rosters. It will be fun to watch our newcomers compete."
 
The Rams bring back several accomplished student-athletes, headlined by three-time high jump all-American Hailey Carolan and two-time NCAA track qualifier Isaac vanWestrienen. Cornell's women and men are both projected fourth in the MWC Preseason Coaches' Poll.
 
Carolan placed fourth in the high jump at the 2024 NCAA Outdoor Championships, capping an outstanding sophomore season in which she won three MWC individual titles (indoor and outdoor high jump; indoor 60 hurdles) while earning all-conference status in five other events.
 
"Hailey has been looking great in training this fall and should continue to make an impact for us in the jumps and hurdles," Monner said.
 
Cornell's women return the defending MWC indoor and outdoor 800 champion in junior Ava Claussen-Tubbs. She ran on last year's MWC indoor championship sprint medley relay with current sophomore Willow Ziegler.
 
Junior Alyza Koppes was Cornell's front runner in cross country this fall, taking sixth at conference and 31st at regionals. First-year Lidia Dahlman placed 10th at the MWC Cross Country Championships.
 
"Ava and Alyza will be big point scorers for us again in the distance and mid-distance events," Monner said. "Ava has put in a lot of work over the summer and this fall, which will pay off this season. Alyza is coming off an outstanding cross country season."
 
Senior Bri Osterson (outdoor javelin) gained all-MWC recognition a season ago.
 
Cornell's men will be buoyed by a cast of proven distance runners who captured the 2024 MWC cross country team title. VanWestrienen is the reigning MWC Indoor Track Most Valuable Performer and Newcomer of the Year, sweeping the 3000 and 5000 indoor races last February.
 
Senior Fisher Isaacson is the defending MWC outdoor champion in the 800 and 1500 races. The Rams have three members back on their MWC indoor championship sprint medley relay in senior Isaak Hutchings, junior Jaxin McGuire and sophomore Hadley Beaty.
 
Hutchings and senior Gabe Soda have both claimed seven career all-MWC medals on the track. McGuire and Isaacson are five-time honorees.
 
"Our men's distance crew will continue to be a big part of our success. They should carry the momentum from their conference cross country title right into the track season," Monner said. "Hadley, Jaxin and Currey (Jacobs) are the guys we'll be counting on to lead our sprints and jumps."
 
Sophomore transfer sprinter Jensen Meeker heads a talented group of newcomers on the men's team.
 
Cornell hosts the Hilltop Invitational Jan. 25. The MWC Indoor Championships are Feb. 28-March 1 in Monmouth, Ill.