BREVARD, N.C. - The 2017 Brevard College Track and Field season kicked off on Feb. 3, in Winston-Salem, N.C. for the JDL Camel City Indoor meet. The team is taking a brief hiatus from competition to prepare for the outdoor season beginning on March 17 at the 49er Classic.

Head coach Mike McClaran will be at the helm of the Tornados this season, after coaching the cross-country team in the fall. McClaran brings a wealth of experience to the Tornados. He helped Brevard to an NJCAA Cross Country National Championship in 1990, when Brevard was a two-year school. McClaran then went on to Auburn where he was an All-American in track and field.

"We have a solid team this season, and I am optimistic that we will have a stronger representation at conference this year," said coach McClaran.

Leading the Tornados in the distance events will be junior, Hassan Kiprono (Iten, Kenya). Last season, Kiprono finished with three top-10 finishes, including a ninth place finish in the 3000-meter steeplechase at the SAC Championships. Coach McClaran has praised Kiprono's advancements in the 5000 and 10,000-meter races this season.

Marlowe Macklin (Brown Summit, N.C.) returns to compete in the sprint events. Macklin finished first among Brevard College competitors in the 100-meter dash at the Winthrop Invitational last year.

"Marlowe Macklin placed well last year at conference," said Coach McClaran. "We are looking for continual improvement from him in the 100, 200, and 4x100 relay."

In the field events, Dal Davis (Durham, N.C.) and Micah Voelzow (Charlotte, N.C.) will be competing in the high jump, and Chris Hamrick will be throwing the shotput and discus events.

The women's team features two experienced seniors, Elena Raygoza (Palmdale, Calif) and Madison Smith (Duvall, Wash.), who will be leading the team this season. Freshman Ashley Mevoli (St. Petersburg, Fla.) will compete in the high jump and triple jump events.

Coach McClaran is excited about the season and the hard work the team is putting into their training this season.

"We have a strong team of senior men and women, and also some new faces that are already proving they will be solid additions to the team."

Brevard will return to action on March 17 at the 49er Classic in Charlotte. The team will compete in the conference championships on April 14-15 in Hickory, N.C.