RICHARDSON, Texas - The UT Dallas track & field program enters its third year and looks to make even bigger strides for head coach Danielle Kcholi in 2023.

The Comet men will look to build on a third place finish at the 2022 American Southwest Conference Championships, where they dominated the distance events. Trent Sakakini won the 800 meters, 1,500 meters and 3,000 meter steeplechase en route to earning Outstanding Track Athlete and High Point Athlete at the meet. Devan Bailey followed suit by winning both the 5,000 and 10,000 meter runs, earning All-ASC First Team honors. Griffin Davis earned Second Team all-conference by finishing second in the 5K as well as placing third in the 10K. Strengthening UTD is the return of junior Graeme Maclean who as the 2021 ASC champion in the 800 and 1,500.

The men's squad was picked to finish fourth in the 2023 ASC Preseaon Poll. Sakakini and Maclean as well as junior middle distance runner Kameron Quinn and freshman sprinter Rafe Primo were named to the Athletes to Watch List. In total, the Comets return 20 athletes on the men's side.

Other point scorers that return include Muaaz Makda (5th - 400 meters, 5th - 4x400 relay), 7th - 4x100 relay), Matthew Chimitt (5th - 1,500 meters, 5th - 4x400 relay, 8th - 800 meters), Jayden Chambless (5th - 10,0000 meters, 6th - 5,000 meters), Rohan Springer (7th - 10,000 meters), Dami Oyadiran (7th - 4x100 relay), Raphael Park (7th - 4x100 relay), Justin Ardis (5th - 4x400 relay) and Jackson Tucker (7th - discus)

The Comet women were selected to place sixth in 2023 after finishing seventh a year ago.

Sophomore Rebeca Betanzo scored in two events at the ASC Championships in 2022, placing fifth in the 1,500 meters and eighth in the 800. Kris Castillo was also sixth in the pole vault.

Betanzo was joined by sophomore distance-runner Sage Herrera, freshman sprinter Tia Billingsly and freshman thrower Chisom Mbah on the Athletes to Watch List. UTD return four women from last year's team.

The 2023 campaign opens on February 25 in Abilene, Texas at the HSU Invitational. They will also travel to Los Angels for the Oxy Distance Carnival & Spring Break Classic (March 11), the Wes Kittley Invitational hosted by Abilene Christian (March 17-18), the David Noble Relays in San Angelo, Texas (April 7), the McMurry War Hawk Classic in Abilene (April 15), the J Fred Duckett Twilight at Rice in Houston on April 22 and the ASC Championships at Hardin-Simmons May 4-6.