BURNSVILLE, Minn. — Bemidji State University Track and Field earned 11^th in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll, as announced by the conference Thursday morning. Trista Bilden and Sophie Rylance were named Athletes to Watch.
 
"We are returning some athletes in the mid-distance and distance events that will provide a lot of leadership for this outdoor season while closing in on national qualifying marks," said BSU Head Coach Mike Lynch. "Our throws crew is young but has made significant improvements over last year and have the potential for some long throws. Everyone is hoping for a mild spring so we can have some weather for quality performances!"
 
The Beavers finished the indoor season ranked 12^th in the conference, headlined by the program's first individual event win since 2021. Sophie Rylance grabbed the top mark in the 1000-meter run, setting school and personal records in the process, and earning the outdoor Track Athlete to Watch nod. Rylance currently holds outdoor personal bests in the 800-meter at 2:15.58 and the 1500-meter at 4:53.34. Last season, she also was a part of the Beavers' 4x400-meter relay team.
 
"Sophie is coming off indoors with a big event win in the 1000m," said Coach Lynch. "She has made major strides this season with what she can accomplish. Sophie has her eyes set on a school record in the 800 and a place in the finals at conference in the 800m."
 
Trista Bilden was named the Beavers' Field Athlete to Watch preseason honor after a strong showing in the indoor season and last year's outdoor contests. Bilden holds outdoor personal bests in the discus at 37.77 meters, javelin at 38.02 meters and 12.38 meters in shotput. Last spring, she finished in the top 10 at the conference championships for javelin with her pr throw, grabbing seventh. 
 
"Trista returns this season after scoring in the javelin last season at the NSIC Championships," said Coach Lynch. "She has continued to improve this year in the shot put and discus this year and hopes to be able to make the NSIC Outdoor Finals in all three events."
 
BSU starts outdoor competition next week at the Saint John's Optimistic Meet on March 28, starting at 11 a.m. from Collegeville, Minn. More info on the meet will be available next week via the BSU Beavers website.  
 
For more information on the Bemidji State Track and Field program, tickets or schedules, visit BSUBeavers.com, follow the Beavers on X (@BSUBeaversXCTF), like them on Facebook (facebook.com/BSUBeavers) and like them on Instagram (@BSUBeaversXC).
 
Located on the shore of Lake Bemidji, Bemidji State University sponsors 15 varsity athletic programs with NCAA Division I men's and women's hockey membership in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association and Western Collegiate Hockey Association, while its 13 NCAA Division II programs hold membership in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC).