The 2026 season for the Case Western Reserve University track and field team is officially underway. Having begun their season this past December with the Spartan Alumni Holiday Classic, the team kicked off 2026 with the Spartan Icebreaker this past weekend at home inside the Veale Convocation, Recreation, and Athletic Center.
Defending indoor weight throw UAA Champion, fourth-year Michelle Lee, competed in the meet and expressed both excitement and nervousness about entering her final season.
“I think there’s something special about an athlete’s final season,” Lee said. “If I had to be completely honest, I’ve been more nervous about my final indoor track season than I was about my final semester of school.”
At the same time, Lee’s nervous energy is matched by gratitude for having the opportunity to defend a UAA title, an honor that has reframed how she approaches the season.
“Going into the spring, looking to defend a UAA title isn’t something I had ever expected to have the privilege to do. Whatever the season holds in the next two months, I’m excited to have made it this far,” she said.
Lee is among several returning Spartans entering this season with UAA accolades to their name. Second-year sprinter Madhan Manikandaswamy returns after having earned three honors at last year’s championship. Fourth-year hurdler Bryce Hodge and third-year Toby Langsner achieved two podium finishes each in various events. Other returning All-UAA honorees include fourth-year Troy Olson and second-years Donovan Crowley, Charlie Stipanovich and Sarah Viveiros. Further decorated athletes making a return for 2026 include fourth-years Lauren Iagnemma, Ashley Novak and Ayla Grabenbauer. All three also received All-Great Lakes Region recognition for their performances.
As for the coaching side, head coach Eric Schmuhl returns for his 14th year at the helm. Working alongside him are the coaching staff of full-time assistant coach Rocco Mitolo, distance coach Kathy Nortz Yohann, horizontal jumps coach Drew Linebarger, sprints and relays coach Juan Perez and pole vault coach Joshua Berman.
“The way we operate as a team is so different from all the other UAA schools. We don’t have massive budgets and a coaching staff of six-plus specialists,” Lee said. “That being said, we do an extraordinary job with the extraordinary people we have. We operate entire event groups as an entire team and do a damn good job … In terms of athletes, we see new talent every year, and this year is no different. Definitely keep an eye on our sprints group, we are only two meets down, and records are being broken left and right.”
Indeed, the Spartan sprinters have already been making their mark. First-year Gianna Phipps set a school record in the 60-meter dash with a time of 7.90 seconds to break a record last set in 2016. Iagnemma placed first in the one-mile run (5:27.27), fellow fourth-year Grace Misiunas dominated in the 60-meter hurdles (9.35 seconds) and second-year Riley Friedman achieved victory in the 200-meter dash (27.44).
Further podium finishes were achieved by numerous other Spartans at the meet, ranging from long-distance runners, jumpers, throwers and everything in between. The Spartan’s performance last weekend is evidence of the potential this team has, and it is encouraging as the team looks onto the rest of the season.
With all that being said, for Lee, success for herself this season is defined less by podium finishes and more by personal fulfillment.
“My only goal this year is to leave my collegiate athletic career happy, whatever the result may be,” she stated.
Whether her final collegiate throw comes at a dual meet or the UAA championship, her focus remains on making the most of her remaining time as a Spartan. On the team level, the goals are broader but just as meaningful.
“I’m hoping we can continue to compete with the other schools in our conference. Each year we get more and more talent, to see that trend continue and our program to grow into something that has six-plus specialized coaches or a roster that gets even more competitive would be amazing,” said Lee.
The Spartans will continue their season this weekend as they take part in the Snow Meet of Champions on Saturday, Jan. 24 at John Carroll University. Events will commence at 11:45 a.m.