ERIE, Pa. – The Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) announced the preseason poll for men's and women's track and field on Thursday. The Behrend Lions were selected to finish first on both sides.

The Behrend men's track and field team was selected the favorite entering the 2023 season. The Lions won their sixth straight CSAC Championship a year ago, accumulating 302 points. Head coach Greg Cooper was awarded CSAC Coach of the Year. Behrend won eight events at the 2022 CSAC Championships, led by Blake Burns (Jefferson, OH/Jefferson) in the 100m hurdles, the 4x100 relay and 4x400 relay.

The Behrend women's track and field team collected four first-place votes in the preseason poll. The Lions are coming off their fifth title in 2022 with a team score 246 points at last year's championships. Ivy Laffan (Waterford, PA/Fort LeBoeuf) returns following a season where she was named CSAC Track Athlete of the Year for her performance in the championships, winning four events (100m, 200m, 400m, 4x100 relay). Olivia Nola (Erie, PA/Collegiate Academy) also returns after claiming three events.

2023 CSAC Men's Track and Field Preseason Poll

1. Penn St.-Behrend, 14 points (2)
2. Alfred State College, 13 points (2)
3. Gallaudet University, 9 points
4. Keystone College, 4 points

2023 CSAC Women's Track and Field Preseason Poll

1. Penn St.-Behrend, 34 points (4)
2. Alfred State College, 32 points (2)
3. Gallaudet University, 22 points
4. Cedar Crest College, 20 points
5. Keystone College, 11 points
6. Notre Dame College of Maryland, 7 points