MOBILE, Ala. – The University of South Alabama men's and women's track and field teams will open up the indoor season Friday at the Samford Invite, which will mark the first of four straight weekends the Jaguars will compete during the course of their indoor schedule. 

MEET INFORMATION
Date: 1/17
Meet: Samford Invite
Host: Samford 
Site: Birmingham CrossPlex (Birmingham, Ala.)
Live Results: https://live.xpresstiming.com/meets/5112

THE FIELD (10) 
- Alabama, Alabama A&M, Arkansas State, Georgia State, Samford, South Alabama, Southern Miss, Tulane, UAB, UT-Chattanooga

NOTES
- Last season, the women finished fourth while the men took fifth place at the 2019 Sun Belt Indoor Championships. 
- The Jaguars return nine all-Sun Belt Conference performers from last indoor season: Graham Collins (heptathlon), Christian Ellis (triple jump), Noah Mumme (pole vault) and 4x400m relay team which consisted of Jalen Boyd, Javen Jackson, Xavier Rodgers and Cam Stewart on the men's side, Autavia Fluker (shot put) and Emilie Berge (high jump, long jump and pentathlon) who set the conference record in the pentathlon for the women.   
- Berge also returns as the team's only All-American as she claimed second-team honors finishing 10th in the pentathlon at the 2019 NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships.
- Forty-six student-athletes will make the trip to open up their indoor campaign, including 15 newcomers with the program.  
- Field events are set to start at 8 a.m. with the women's weight throw, while running events are scheduled to begin at noon with the women's 60m trails.  

THEY SAID IT
Head Coach Paul Brueske
- On the feeling around the team heading into the first meet: "I think that the student-athletes are anxious to get the season underway and have the first meet under their belt."

- On what the coaches are looking for in opening up competition: "I'd like to see us go out and give great effort. Although it is early in the season, I'm hoping to see some performances that are indicative of what this team is capable of."

- On the difference between this year's team and previous teams: "On the men's side, we have a very talented team, but aside from a few exceptions, we are really young. It is a group of young but talented guys and if they can step up, this team can really surprise some people this year. On the women's side, we have proven veterans that should be among the leaders in the conference. There are some newcomers as well that will be competitive, but we are looking to rely on our experience. The key for both teams this season is to stay healthy. If we can get to the starting line healthy, I think that we will do well." 

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

Join the Finish Line Club, the track and field and cross country specific support club of the Jaguar Athletic Fund.  All donations to the Finish Line Club go directly to support the South Alabama track and field/cross country programs.  For more information on how you can join visit:  jaguarathleticfund.com/finishlineclub.