Temple University Athletics
Photo by: Zamani Feelings
Women's Track and Field Outlook: Building on Last Year
12.2.21 | Women's Track and Field
PHILADELPHIA - Head coach Elvis Forde will open his eighth season at the command of the women's track and field program on Friday when Temple travels to Bethlehem, Pa. to face off against Lehigh for the start of the indoor season. The indoor slate of races features one other in the month of December against Wagner on Dec. 11.
At the turn of the new year, the Cherry & White enjoy three races against St. John's (Jan. 17), Villanova (Jan. 22), and Albany (Jan. 28). In the following month, two-day meets against Columbia (Feb. 4-5) and Boston College (Feb. 11-12) round out the schedule before American Athletic Conference Championships on Feb. 25-26 in Birmingham, Ala.
"The indoor schedule sets up very well for us as it gives a variety of athletes an opportunity to compete in different events," Forde said. "We know that we have to keep improving every year in a multitude of events because the sprints in particular are difficult in our conference so we have to manage to pick up points in other events like distance and multis where we can."
The rest of the coaching staff consists of assistant coaches James Snyder and Kevin Kelly. Snyder, who received Mid-Atlantic Region Assistant Coach of the Year recognition last year, has been with the Owls since 2013 and coaches the middle- and long-distance runners, while Kelly joined the Temple staff earlier this year from Penn State where he served as an assistant coach for nine years.
Last year's indoor season was shortened due to COVID-19 as Temple ran in only three meets – the H-Town SpeedCity Series II and III as well as the Camel City Invitational. The Indoor American Athletic Championships were cancelled due to the pandemic.
Last year, graduate Alanna Lally shined for the Owls, recording a first-place finish in the 800m in the H-Town SpeedCity Series II. Lally continued her success later in the Camel City Invitational, placing third in the 800m Elite Finals behind two professional runners. Sophomore Lea Kerbiriou returns for the Owls after a stellar rookie season, finishing first in the 800m in the H-Town SpeedCity Series III.
"As we are getting into the indoor season this year, we have to realize that every year presents a new challenge," Forde said. "We lost a lot of firepower from last season, so we have to find a way to replace them with the quality athletes that we have including Lea (Kerbiriou), Helene (Gottlieb), Michelle (Joyce), and Marissa (White) to name a few."
While the outdoor schedule has not been set yet, the team looks to capitalize off the success of the previous campaign. Temple recorded their highest-ever finish at the 2021 AAC Outdoor Championship with their third-place finish. The Owls recorded a program-best 81 points.
Although Temple loses four Owls (Aisha Brown, Emma Gee, Lally, and Grace Moore) who qualified for the NCAA East Preliminary Round last season, the Cherry & White return Joyce among a host of other key contributors. Joyce was the AAC 5000m champion last year while also earning All-Conference honors in the 10,000m where she set a program record of 34:47.69.
Forde made it clear that although he is happy with last year's success, the team does not want to settle for third place.
"Our team has made some strides in the American Athletic Conference, and we don't want to take a step backwards. We placed third last year which is good, but we want to keep pushing and keep making progress. Every day at practice is a business day for us, and we want to outwork other teams while talking care of ourselves mentally, physically, and emotionally."
The Owls indoor season begins on Dec. 3 when the Owls travel to Lehigh.
At the turn of the new year, the Cherry & White enjoy three races against St. John's (Jan. 17), Villanova (Jan. 22), and Albany (Jan. 28). In the following month, two-day meets against Columbia (Feb. 4-5) and Boston College (Feb. 11-12) round out the schedule before American Athletic Conference Championships on Feb. 25-26 in Birmingham, Ala.
"The indoor schedule sets up very well for us as it gives a variety of athletes an opportunity to compete in different events," Forde said. "We know that we have to keep improving every year in a multitude of events because the sprints in particular are difficult in our conference so we have to manage to pick up points in other events like distance and multis where we can."
The rest of the coaching staff consists of assistant coaches James Snyder and Kevin Kelly. Snyder, who received Mid-Atlantic Region Assistant Coach of the Year recognition last year, has been with the Owls since 2013 and coaches the middle- and long-distance runners, while Kelly joined the Temple staff earlier this year from Penn State where he served as an assistant coach for nine years.
Last year's indoor season was shortened due to COVID-19 as Temple ran in only three meets – the H-Town SpeedCity Series II and III as well as the Camel City Invitational. The Indoor American Athletic Championships were cancelled due to the pandemic.
Last year, graduate Alanna Lally shined for the Owls, recording a first-place finish in the 800m in the H-Town SpeedCity Series II. Lally continued her success later in the Camel City Invitational, placing third in the 800m Elite Finals behind two professional runners. Sophomore Lea Kerbiriou returns for the Owls after a stellar rookie season, finishing first in the 800m in the H-Town SpeedCity Series III.
"As we are getting into the indoor season this year, we have to realize that every year presents a new challenge," Forde said. "We lost a lot of firepower from last season, so we have to find a way to replace them with the quality athletes that we have including Lea (Kerbiriou), Helene (Gottlieb), Michelle (Joyce), and Marissa (White) to name a few."
While the outdoor schedule has not been set yet, the team looks to capitalize off the success of the previous campaign. Temple recorded their highest-ever finish at the 2021 AAC Outdoor Championship with their third-place finish. The Owls recorded a program-best 81 points.
Although Temple loses four Owls (Aisha Brown, Emma Gee, Lally, and Grace Moore) who qualified for the NCAA East Preliminary Round last season, the Cherry & White return Joyce among a host of other key contributors. Joyce was the AAC 5000m champion last year while also earning All-Conference honors in the 10,000m where she set a program record of 34:47.69.
Forde made it clear that although he is happy with last year's success, the team does not want to settle for third place.
"Our team has made some strides in the American Athletic Conference, and we don't want to take a step backwards. We placed third last year which is good, but we want to keep pushing and keep making progress. Every day at practice is a business day for us, and we want to outwork other teams while talking care of ourselves mentally, physically, and emotionally."
The Owls indoor season begins on Dec. 3 when the Owls travel to Lehigh.
Players Mentioned
Jumps
/ Women's Track and Field
Steeplechase
/ Women's Track and Field
Mid-distance
/ Women's Track and Field
Distance
/ Women's Track and Field
Distance
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