STATESBORO, Ga. - After a successful first year under the reigns of Head Coach Marlo Mincey, the Georgia Southern Track & Field team is back on the indoor track, looking to improve on last year’s third-place finish at the Indoor SoCon Championships. Saturday’s annual Orange and Purple Winter Classic in Clemson, S.C. gives the Eagles their first chance to compete outside of practice.

Several schools from the Southeast region compete in this year's meet and will provide the Eagles with their first opportunity to gauge what the 2012-2013 Indoor season has in store for them.

The Eagles are returning some key performers from last year’s squad but are also going to see big contributions from their incoming class of 14 athletes, including several standout freshmen and transfers.

“We have some girls that can definitely come in and make heavy impact right away, being in the top two and three in their events and we’re expecting that out of them,” said Mincey. "We’re expecting the other half to definitely contribute. Even though they may not be in the top two, they may definitely be in the top eight. And we’re expecting them to score, that’s what we want everyone to be able to do.”

With a strong incoming class and returning athletes such as 2012 SoCon Indoor Freshman of the Year Jasmine Walker and 2012 SoCon Outdoor Most Outstanding Track Performer Ebony Carter as well as Georgia Southern record holder Sara Curry (3000, 5000 and 10,000m), the Eagles are set up to perform well in many events.

Mincey wants to make sure that there will not be too much pressure on the returning standouts. With good leadership and consistent performances from all returners and newcomers, the Eagles look to spread their chances in every competition.

“I want every event to be our strong point. If you look at some of the field and some of the track events, we should have more than two or three individuals in the top five in the conference. All across the board I expect us to do well,” said Mincey.

The Orange and Purple Winter Classic is the only 2012 meet for the Eagles. More than anything, an early meet like Saturday’s gives Mincey the insight on how ready her young Eagles are to compete.

“It’s so early in the season. At December meets you want them to do well, you do. You want everyone to go out and get personal bests and do things they never thought they could do but in actuality it’s for who can get mentally ready,” said Mincey. “That’s what this December meet is for me. To see who are going to be your go to people and are going to get out there and be prepared.”

Georgia Southern Athletics provides up-to-date information on all its sports through its official website, GSEagles.com, through social media channels facebook.com/GSAthletics and twitter.com/GSAthletics, and its new "Eagles GATA" mobile app for Android and iOS.