MILL SPRINGS, N.C. (Jan. 15, 2026) - Whatever the weather may be outside, it's 70 degrees and clear for the ETSU women's track & field team. 

The Bucs open their 2026 season of competition with the Tryon International Indoor Invitational on Friday at the Tryon International Equestrian Center & Resort in Mill Springs, North Carolina. Competition begins with the pentathlon 60m hurdles Friday afternoon at 2 p.m. and on Saturday at 10 a.m. with the long jump.  

EVENT: Tryon International Indoor Invitational 
DATES: January 16-17, 2026 
VENUE: Tryon International Equestrian Center & Resort (Mill Springs, NC) 
LIVE TIMING: Mitchell Timing 

The Bucs return several notables from 2025 led by sophomores Micailah Cook and Akera Molette who are both looking to build on breakout seasons as freshmen. Cook had an outstanding outdoor season, grabbing SoCon Most Outstanding Track Performer and Freshman of the Year after winning the 200m and the 400m, becoming the first Buccaneer to win both in the same year. She finished fourth in the indoor 200m and sixth in the 400m at the SoCon Indoor Championships last February. Molette competed in the high jump, triple jump, and 60m hurdles at last year's SoCon Championships, distinguishing herself with a fourth-place finish in the triple jump. She enters all three events plus the long jump this weekend. 

Deena Ludtke and Sophie Beach return to lead the distance runners, and Tyla Nicholson leads a long list of throwers competing this weekend that includes Brianna Fulford, who did not participate in indoor competition last season but finished second in the heptathlon at the SoCon Outdoor Championships. Fulford is entered in the shot put, long jump, and high jump this weekend. UC-Colorado Springs transfer Sophia Edwards represents the lone entry in the pole vault.  

For more information on ETSU track & field, go to ETSUBucs.com.