VALLEY CITY, N.D. (vcsuvikings.com) – The Valley City State University track and field program starts a new era Saturday as the Vikings open the 2019-20 indoor season. 

VCSU is traveling to Bismarck to compete at the University of Mary Track & Field Winter Festival at the UMary Fieldhouse and Wellness Center. It is the first meet of the indoor season and VCSU’s only meet before the holiday break. It is also VCSU’s first meet under interim head coach Laquone Robinson, who officially started on the job Monday. 

Robinson says about 35 VCSU athletes are planning to compete at Saturday’s season opener. Just a week into his new role as interim head coach, Robinson says he’s looking forward to seeing the Viking athletes in competition already.  

“Meets always bring out camaraderie and team bonding, and I’m excited to be part of that,” he said. “It will also be an excellent opportunity to see where we are excelling and to help us identify areas we can afford to improve.”

Field events start at 10 a.m. and running events begin at 11 a.m. VCSU, University of Mary and Minot State University are all scheduled to compete Saturday. It is the just the second collegiate meet held at the UMary Fieldhouse and Wellness Center, which opened in 2017 and features a 200 meter Mondo track. 

Following Saturday’s opener, VCSU’s next competition is currently scheduled for Jan. 25 at Concordia College.