The University of Mississippi Athletics
Expectations High For Rebels' 2012 Indoor Track
1/13/2012 | Track and Field
Jan. 13, 2012
Alabama Invitational Information
OXFORD, Miss. - With many of its top athletes back from a great 2011 season, Ole Miss is primed for another big year in 2012 as the indoor track and field season begins this weekend.
Last year, the Ole Miss men's indoor team ended the season with a No. 11 national ranking, while the women's indoor squad finished the year ranked No. 23 in the country. Those results saw the men produce their best season since 2001 and the women their best since 2008.
As head coach Joe Walker enters his 30th season at the helm, the Rebel men are ranked No. 19 in the USTFCCCA preseason poll.
The Rebels get the season started at the Alabama Invitational on Saturday at the CrossPlex Indoor Track and Field Facility in Birmingham. The University of Alabama will serve as host. Among the teams slated to compete are nationally ranked men's teams No. 1 Florida, No. 3 LSU, No. 6 Florida State and No. 20 Mississippi State, as well as nationally ranked women's teams No. 2 LSU, No. 9 Florida State, and No. 13 Southern Miss. Fellow SEC school Auburn will also be competing.
The Ole Miss men will once again be led by returning first team NCAA All-Americans Ricky Robertson and Mike Granger, as well as second team All-Americans Carson Blanks, Caleb Lee and Morris Kersh.
Robertson was the NCAA runner-up last indoor season in the high jump whereas Granger was runner-up in the 60 meters. Despite not claiming the NCAA title, Robertson did capture the SEC high jump crown a season ago.
Meanwhile on the women's side, gone from last season are the pair of NCAA First Team All-Americans in Sofie Persson (800 meters) and Juliana Smith (weight throw). While Persson and Smith will be a challenge in replacing, the Rebels still welcome back a core nucleus of athletes. 2011 SEC Women's Freshman Field Athlete of the Year Fabia McDonald returns and looks to build off her successful rookie campaign. Junior Neal Tisher, who set a school record in the pole vault during 2011 with a height of 13-03.75, returns along with senior Logan Waites, who set the school record in both the 3,000 and 5,000 meters last season.
Walker believes this year's group has the potential to be extremely special. Although his squad hasn't had a single race against competition yet, he already witnesses a difference in attitude.
"We came back after the winter holiday overall in as good of a return fitness as I've seen in a long time," he said. "All of the coaches are excited because a majority of our kids did take it upon themselves to work hard over the (winter) break and came back fit."
"It should be a fun year," Walker said. "We're very optimistic. Again, it's just the start. Right now we're very excited about fitness and to see where we are."
