It’s no doubt the Ashland University Indoor Track and Field team has had success this season. “We are a very well-rounded team with great depth in all areas. We competed well and put up great marks all season.” says sprints/hurdles Coach Logan Sharpe. “Championship time is always fun to fine tune and see who really has the best planned out group.” 

The Eagles had a number of athletes earn provisional marks for the NCAA Division II Indoor Track and Field Championships set to take place in Indianapolis from March 13-15. One of those athletes being junior Jade Avance. Avance has been part of two record setting relays as well as breaking a school record individually in the women’s 800-meter run. “This season has been something so special for our whole team.” says Avance, “… our team’s energy, determination, and our coach’s constant belief in us are indescribable.”  

When asked what she was most proud of so far this season, Avance quickly accredited her team, “What I’m most proud of this season is what my team has accomplished… our men’s 4×4, 400 runners, women 400 runners, sprinters, throwers, and jumps have hit many provisional marks, allowing many of us to make it on the national list. And that’s every runner’s dream. This season has been a gift from God, and I cannot wait to see what it holds.” 

Avance, being coached by Sharpe, dedicates part of the success to him, “Coach Sharpe’s training has allowed us to grow continuously throughout this season. He dedicates so much of himself to our training program, allowing us to have this excellent start to our season.”  

Looking ahead to the G-MAC Championships, set to take place Feb. 28 and March 1 at the Niss Athletic Center, Coach Sharpe gets his athletes prepared by reminding them of their home-team advantage, “I tell the team for G-MAC since it’s our place, we are going to feel the best, the most at home, with the biggest loudest crowd so it’s time for us to put on a show. And rankings don’t matter on race day.”  

Similarly, when asked what she was most looking forward to, Avance also talked about the environment, “Also, the part I am looking forward to most for G-MACs is the environment. It is so much fun, a bit crazy, and exciting.” 

Junior pole vaulter Garrett Baker has seen success this season as well. Baker placed fifth at the NCAA DII Indoor Championships in 2024, and sixth at the outdoor championships last spring. Looking at G-MACs, Baker is excited for him and his teammates to show off their hard work. “I’m truly excited for the G-MACs. It’s a great opportunity to go make something happen and it should be a fun competition where we can let our hard work speak for itself. It’s a chance for our team to make a statement, and hopefully we can go get a conference title.”   

However, his sights don’t just stop at the conference level. When asked about his favorite/proudest moment so far this year, Baker talked about his eye-opening moment at the recent Ashland Invite, “My favorite highlight of the year was competing at the Ashland Invitational. It was not only a fun competition, but it also showed my potential to contend for a national championship.” 

 Baker currently is ranked second in all of Division II for pole vaulting.  

Baker, although proud of where the Eagles currently are, says this is only the start. “Our team has been performing very well this year. We’ve seen great performances across the board, with a lot of impressive marks. I feel this is just a glimpse of our full potential, and I believe it sets the stage for bigger things to come.” 

Catch the Eagles on Feb. 28 and March 1 at the Niss Athletic Center, and there will also be a live stream on goashlandeagles.com.