Dec. 2, 2009

LYNCHBURG, VA - The Winston-Salem State Rams and Lady Rams indoor track & field teams will look to get off to a great start to the 2009-10 season when they take part in the 2009 Liberty Invitational, Thursday and Friday. The Rams and Lady Rams return with some of the top performers from last season's team and are poised for a great start to the season.

The Lady Rams' sprinters look to be a strong unit this season with sophomore Denesha Jiles leading the way for the Lady Rams this season. Last season, Jiles came on strong late in the outdoor season to become one of the team's top sprinters. She will look to keep things going early this season when she opens the season at Liberty. Fellow sophomore Ashley Lawson is also expected to be a great performer this season and is one of the most highly regarded runners in the women's 400m dash at the meet. Not to be outdone by the youngsters, senior jumper Jessica Peaks is a WSSU recordholder in the women's high jump and will look to cap her career with another great season. The Lady Rams' distance runners will also benefit from a youth movement as well with freshman Tyrah Winfrey leading the way. Winfrey was the top runner on the Lady Rams' cross country team this fall and will carry her impressive effort when she takes part in the women's 800m run at the meet. Junior Taylor Calamese and fellow freshman Manuela Rigaud are also both expected to be strong in this week's event.

The Rams will also look to be impressive, but will have some big shoes to fill with the graduation of former Ram sprinter Gerrod Sidbury. Senior sprinter Paul Williams is set to fit the bill after a breakout junior season last year. This season, Williams will look to get things going early as he takes part in the men's 60m dash at this weekend's event. Sophomore Bobby Grier is also coming off of a great freshman season and will look to get off to a great start when he takes part in the men's 200m dash.

The Rams' distance runners are likely to be an exciting group to watch with sophomore Andrew Chebii, who is coming off of a phenomenal cross country season that saw him win three races, is poised for a great indoor season. Junior Desmond Wiggan is another WSSU distance runner who is poised for a great effort this winter.

The Rams and Lady Rams will get things underway tomorrow as the meet is scheduled for a noon start tomorrow. For more information on the Rams and Lady Rams track & field, contact the WSSU office of Athletic Media Relations at (336) 750-2909 or log on to www.WSSURams.com.