Track and Field Races Against Broad Field in Yale Opener

Columbia’s indoor track and field season will kick off this weekend at the Yale Opener. Facing teams from all over the Northeast, the Lions will dust off their spikes and make their first statement before the holiday break.

Although schools including Trinity, Manhattan, and Albany will be present at the meet, the Lions’ premier competition will be the host team, Yale. In the past years, the Yale Opener has not been a scored meet, but given the close level of talent between the two squads dating back to last season’s Ivy Championships, the Light Blue will need to use this meet to size up its competition.

The Bulldogs’ women’s team has returning senior Lindsay Donaldson to lead the distance squad. Donaldson, who advanced to NCAA Nationals last year in both the indoor and outdoor seasons, won the 3,000-meter race at last season’s Ivy Championships. The Bulldogs’ 4x800 meter relay team finished a close second behind the Lions’ squad, while Yale’s 4x400 relay defeated Columbia’s last year. Senior Meredith Leenhouts, an 800-meter runner, will be back to compete for Yale this season.

The Bulldog men will be led in the sprint events by juniors Brandon Giles and Jeffrey Lachman, both of whom won their respective events at last season’s Ivy Championships. Sophomore Ted Galligan, a 400-meter runner, will be back to contribute after placing third at last year’s Ivies. Last season’s 4x100-meter relay team that defeated the Light Blue was the fifth fastest in Yale history.

Although the Lions are at the beginning of their season, they may find themselves racing very closely with the Elis. Tomorrow’s opener will only be a taste of the Ivy competition that will last the remainder of the season.