On Saturday, an entire record book of St. Edward's Indoor Track & Field history will toe the starting line at Pittsburg State's Crimson and Gold Invitational, opening just the second indoor campaign in Hilltopper history.

In the early stages of any program, rewriting the record book becomes a weekly ritual—proof that the direction is right, if not yet complete. But for new head coach Chase Rathke, records are just signposts. The real benchmark lives inside the Lone Star Conference standings.

"Program records are always good benchmarks for us to shoot for. But for me, success will always come down to how we stack up against the rest of the Lone Star Conference," Rathke says. "How are we improving and preparing for the conference meet? Are we placing? Are we scoring points? Once we have that as a foundation, then we focus on getting some of these athletes to the national meet."

The program, launched in 2020 on the backbone of St. Edward's cross-country tradition, has grown steadily without shortcuts. Early iterations lacked the depth and diversity of skill to fill every event. Distance kept the Hilltoppers competitive; everywhere else, they were simply too small to be seen.

That's changing—fast.

This year's roster nearly doubles last season's size, blending newcomers eager for their first taste of collegiate track with returners ready to raise the bar. Many will run, jump, or hurdle in their first indoor meet this weekend. Rathke calls the opener a "rustbuster"—an opportunity to shake off the long break, get the wheels turning, and evaluate where this young, talented roster stands before the grind of conference play begins.

"We have a lot of talent, especially young talent — a lot of new faces," he said. "We're going to continue to push the envelope, not settle, and understand there's a lot of room for growth."

Distance: The Established Core

The most polished unit remains the distance group. Sophomore ARLO GONZALES leads the men after claiming All-Conference honors and earning LSC Academic Runner of the Year in cross country. Senior MIA RIVERA returns from injury to anchor the women; she shattered the program's 5K indoor record last season and owns marks from the mile to the 6K.

Junior HOGAN HEIKKINEN, who redshirted last outdoor season, rejoins the long- and mid-distance corps. Rathke stresses that the group's strength lies not just in its leaders, but in the collective drive behind them.

"It starts with one or two people leading the way, then two people, then three, and then no one wants to get left behind," Rathke says. "Even during hard workout days, no one is dragging or going through the motions. That means something. When we're enjoying what we do, it makes a difficult sport so much easier."

Sprints and Hurdles: Depth, Competition, and Accountability

Senior TYRIQ WILSON remains the standard bearer in the sprints, holding the program record in the 60 meters and ranking second all-time in the 200. ANDRE MOORE and CRISTIAN MENDOZA return, while freshmen Sean Jahedi and Gavin Anguiano inject new speed.

Assistant coach Antwain Morgan sees a group waking up to its own potential—and pushing each other to reach it.

"No spot is a given; nothing is guaranteed, so everyone has to bring their A-game," Morgan says. "That's going to make everyone better over time. We're not just here to participate; we're here to engage and make an impact."

Nowhere is that more evident than in the hurdles, a group that went from a single athlete last season to a deep, competitive unit. MYOSIA VIRGIN, Masyn Vela, Pablo Jiminez, and Jayden Lopez headline a group that Morgan says has taken major steps in both technical ability and competitive consistency.

"Hurdles are a much more technical event. The quality has definitely deepened," he said.

Jumps: From Solo Act to Event Group

Sophomore DAVID MARQUEZ, who carried the jumps program by himself last season, now returns with teammates in tow. Jayden Lopez and Kaylon King bolster the men's roster, bringing raw ability and high ceilings.

On the women's side, Busayo Showemimo, Evelyn Ellis, and Lorena Cerda have accelerated quickly under assistant coach Linsey Montgomery.
"Jayden and Kaylon haven't competed in track and field very long, but they have so much raw talent," Montgomery says. "On the women's side, Showemimo, Ellis, and Cerda are progressing fast — combining speed, aggression, and technique. It's going to be amazing to watch this season."

That progress reflects a recruiting strategy built around versatility, upside, and late bloomers—athletes who can grow across multiple events and give the Hilltoppers flexibility they lacked just a year ago.

A Program Built on Culture

For Rathke, the season is about more than chasing medals or rewriting history. Culture—joyful, competitive, consistent—is the glue holding everything together. And nothing captured that better than a recent 35-degree morning practice.

"This morning, we're practicing, and it's 35 degrees out, and the entire team is laughing, joking, and stuff like that," he said. "I loved it. That joy is infectious, and the more of that we have out there, the better it is for everyone involved."

The Road Ahead

The Hilltoppers will be tested across four regular-season meets, including returns to Pittsburg State and Washburn, before the Lone Star Conference Championships in Albuquerque. With improved depth and talent across the board, every athlete has a meaningful chance to contribute—whether through a podium finish, a relay leg, or a personal best that moves the scoreboard.

"This year, we have athletes who can definitely podium at conference, maybe enough to get a relay or two up there," Rathke said. "But the bigger picture — we're building a culture. That's what makes it all come together."

From frozen mornings to the heat of competition, St. Edward's is ready. With returning leaders, emerging stars, and the broadest roster the program has ever fielded, the Hilltoppers enter their second indoor season not as a novelty, but as a program with purpose—driven, joyful, and hungry to make its mark.