Mark Nelson enters his first year leading the Prairie Fire track and field programs.
“I just want us to have a great group of people compete really hard week in and week out,” said Nelson. “Overall we are looking for improvement and growth each week and to build momentum to an exciting outdoor season.”
The team is filled with newcomers, but a few stalwarts remain from the last few years. Peyton Balfour is the reigning indoor triple jump champion for women’s field, an event she also won in 2022. She is one of the top all-around jumpers in the Midwest Conference and the school record holder in the triple jump (36′ 3″). Balfour is also in the top-10 in school history in the long jump (16′ 11 3/4″), 60m (8.19), and high jump (4′ 9 1/2″).
Lance Miller already holds the men’s indoor mile record (4:25.84) after one season and had an excellent fall on the cross country team with multiple appearances on the Knox top-25 lists. He placed fourth at the MWC meet last year as a first-year and will look to continue improving.
“I think Lance is ready to take the next step as a miler in this conference,” added Nelson.
Cecilia Goodin had a strong start to her career in the fall for the women’s cross country team and will be leaned on to contribute this winter as well.
Nelson concluded, “Cecilia had an outstanding freshman season in cross country, and we are excited to see what she can do this year as well.”
The Prairie Fire track and field programs begin their season on January 20 as they travel to Monmouth.
***Courtesy of the Knox College Prairie Fire***
