LEBANON, Ill. - McKendree University's men's and women's track and field team will open the season on Saturday, Dec. 4 in Pittsburg, Kan. at the Crimson and Gold Opener hosted by Pittsburg State. 

Field events will start at noon on Saturday with running events starting at 12:30 Saturday afternoon. Results will be posted on www.midwesttiming.com and http://www.pittstategorillas.com/. 

First year head coach Barry Ford will have 20 men and 14 women return this season. Having experience on both sides the Bearcats will look to compete for the Great Lakes Valley Conference championship.  

Of the 20 men returning five of them are sophomores, five are juniors, seven seniors and two graduate students. On the women's side four of the returners are sophomores, four are juniors and six are seniors.  

The Bearcats women placed ninth at last season's GLVC outdoor championships, while the men placed sixth at the outdoor championships. The indoor championships did not take place last spring due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  

"I'm very excited to lead this group of athletes into the future and turn McKendree's track and field programs into one of the premier programs in the GLVC," Ford said.