KALAMAZOO, Mich. -- The Western Michigan track and field team will open its season on Friday at the Grand Valley State Holiday Open. WMU will have four student-athletes competing in the early-season meet. 

BRONCO DEBUTS
Laurine Marimon, Sierra Sommers and Mickaliliah Vassell will be making their WMU debuts on Friday at GVSU. The trio has high expectations, coming in with incredible marks during their pre-college years. 

Among those top marks, Sommers threw 45' 6" in the shot put in high school, while Vassell holds times of 7.95 in the 60m dash and 9.00 in the 60m hurdles. Marimon had a season-best triple jump mark of 12.86 meters earlier in 2025. 

SUPER SHANNON
Shannon Gillahan returns for her sophomore season after showing flashes of brilliance as a rookie. Gillahan has PR's of 5:21.04 in the 1500 and 18:47.65 in the 5K. She will make her college debut in the 3K on Friday. She ran 10:17.17 as a senior in high school. 

The Okemos, Mich. native will look to build on an impressive end to the 2025 track and field season. She closed her 2025 campaign with PR's in both the 5K and 1500.

KEY RETURNERS
Though they won't be competing this weekend, the Broncos have a wealth of talent returning from each group. Distance wise, Lillian Zelasko and Lily Overton are back after scoring in their respective events at the MAC Championships. In the sprints, hurdles and jumps group, Sandra Ferrari and Mabinty Kebe return after winning MAC Championships last season. Throws wise, Lane Hagens and Tess Van Dyk return after putting up big points at the conference meet a year ago. 

WHO'S COMPETING? (Denotes PR)
60M DASH
Mickaliliah Vassell (WMU Debut)

3K
Shannon Gillahan (College Debut)

60M HURDLES
Mickaliliah Vassell (WMU Debut)

TRIPLE JUMP
Laurine Marimon (WMU Debut)

SHOT PUT
Sierra Sommers (College Debut)

WEIGHT THROW
Sierra Sommers (College Debut)