COFFEYVILLE, Kan. — The Southwestern College men's and women's track and field teams open the 2026 outdoor season Thursday at the Dean Pryor Invitational.

The meet marks the first outdoor competition of the year for the Moundbuilders after concluding the indoor season in February.

On the men's side, sophomore Dominique Orosco leads the sprint group after posting a season-best 23.15 seconds in the 200 meters at the KCAC Indoor Championships. Orosco also recorded a time of 53.29 seconds in the 400 meters earlier in the season.

Freshman Ben Patowski clocked a 23.86 in the 200 meters at the conference meet.

In the field events, freshman Luke Peffer leads Southwestern in both the high jump and long jump. Peffer cleared 1.76 meters (5 feet, 9.25 inches) in the high jump and posted a mark of 6.76 meters (22-2.25) in the long jump during the indoor season.

Freshman JJ Crawford also returns in the jumps after recording a 13.43-meter (44-0.75) mark in the triple jump at the KCAC Indoor Championships. Crawford recently earned KCAC All-Conference Honorable Mention in the event.

In the throws, sophomore Emerson Williams posted a season-best 13.17 meters (43-2.5) in the shot put, while sophomore Anthony Mendoza recorded a mark of 11.49 meters (37-8.5).

For the women, sophomore Abigail Eckert leads the sprint and jump group. Eckert ran 28.95 seconds in the 200 meters and posted a long jump mark of 4.46 meters (14-7.75) at the KCAC Indoor Championships.

Senior Lauryn Peterson anchors the distance group with an 800-meter time of 2:55.92 recorded at the conference meet.

In the throws, sophomore Malia Pearson leads Southwestern with a top shot put mark of 10.75 meters (35-3.25). Pearson also recorded a 13.28-meter throw in the weight throw during the indoor season.

Thursday's meet in Coffeyville begins the outdoor campaign as the Moundbuilders look to build on their indoor performances heading into the spring schedule.