With the indoor track season coming to an end, the Vols are gearing up for the outdoor season. 

Several freshman distance runners and sprinters are set to play a large role in generating team momentum once things kick off. 

Here are some of the key names to look out for as Tennessee track’s spring season begins to take its stride.

Mary Nyaboke Ogwoka 

Ogwoka continues to become a recent phenomenon, setting and resetting her own freshman program record in the mile. 

In the early season, Ogwoka set her personal record in the mile with a 4:38.01, automatically placing her within the top three in Vols history. This proved just the beginning, as she recorded a better time two weeks later at the Tyson Invitational, breaking her own record by over four seconds. 

In the SEC Championships, she secured a bronze medal with a time of 4:33.60, earning Tennessee its first medal in the event since 2010. With the spring season almost underway, Ogwoka provides much-needed depth for the long-distance team, creating a competitive environment everywhere she races. 

Nelson Mapi Setek 

Setek is another newcomer to keep an eye on, a Kenyan record-breaking freshman. 

At the John Thomas Terrier Classic in Boston, he broke the men’s mile school record previously set by Canaan Anderson. With a time of 3:58.30, Setek beat the record by almost two seconds. 

At the Tyson Invitational, he lowered his mark in the men’s mile with a time of 3:55.90. This time ranks first in the SEC for the current indoor campaign. Setek’s rapid improvement early in the season suggests he has yet to reach his ceiling. His ability to consistently drop time makes him a serious threat in tactical races. 

Jouneé Armstrong 

Fresh off a standout prep career in Jamaica, Jouneé Armstrong is showing a strong development trajectory. 

Armstrong competed in the 4×400-meter relay at the Tyson Invitational, setting the third-fastest time in Vols history. In the 60-meter, she notched a personal best with a 7.41 time at the Badgers Windy City Invite and another personal best in the 200-meter with a time of 23.85. 

Contributing heavily to relay scoring, Armstrong eyes a chance to continue building off the indoor season into the spring. With her combination of speed, international background and access to elite coaching at Tennessee, Armstrong’s journey is one to watch, both at the collegiate and potentially international stage one day.