MOBILE, Ala. – The University of South Alabama track and field team will open its indoor season at the BSC Panther Indoor Icebreaker Friday at the Birmingham CrossPlex.

There will be 19 teams competing at the meet, which is scheduled to begin at 8 a..m.

"We had a good fall and the athletes have worked hard," said head coach Paul Brueske. "They are itching to have fun at this opportunity to compete."

South Alabama will be sending returning track and field competitors Andrew Allen, Spencer Anderson, Ireland Armstrong, Tevin Barnett, Kaitlyn Beans, Kayla Carlile, Matt Dillon, Pheobe Dowson, Cameron Ellis, Jasmine Ferguson, Phillip Friedlander, Megan Hall, Sara Jernfalt, Ariel Johnson, Morgan Jones, Jan-louw Kotze, Leyzon Legarde, Alberta Lucas, Lamia Miller, Ravaughn Pope, Michael Smith, Cameron Stokes, Marina Swanepoel, Erikka Williams and Mark Watts to compete in the first meet of the season.

USA will also be sending returning cross country runners; Alivia Bryars, Ivy Chastain, Nicole Durham, Joanna McCoy, Buddy Soto and Michael Remich.

"I hope the returning athletes emerge as leaders. We had seniors graduate, and we are looking for new athletes to step forward and take the lead," stated Brueske. "I am also hoping for some seniors and juniors to come up as top competitors."

The Jaguars will also be sending newcomers Erin Autio, Jordan Friz, Dominique Gaines, Tyler Holenbeck, Rafael Scott, Kristina Szabo and Matt Weinhold to compete in their first indoor meet at USA.

"This is a starting point for the newcomers, we are a young team with few seniors," said Brueske. "I just want them to compete the best they can and show their best effort. I look for them to improve from meet to meet."

For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com, and follow the Jaguars at www.twitter.com/USAJaguarSports. Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).