Back on track: Rice lengthens their stride at outdoor season opener

By Dia Gupta     4/1/25 11:21pm

Rice track and field kicked off their outdoor 2025 spring season with their first meet March 20 against the University of Houston. 

Jim Bevan, head coach of the women’s team and in his 39th season with the program, said the meet gave the teams a relaxed return to the season. 

“It was a very low-key spring break meet,” Bevan said. “We didn’t run everybody. It was just something to break the cobwebs off.”

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The coaches of the men’s and women’s teams said both are striving for success.

John Warren, head coach of the men’s team in his 30th year with the program, said he hopes to see his athletes place top three in the American Athletic Conference, make the national meet and play to their strengths. 

Bevan said he has similar competitive goals and wants his athletes to reach their full potential.

“We’re all working towards finishing as high as we can at conference and getting as many people as we can into nationals,” Bevan said. “We want to get maximum development and stay healthy.”

Both teams face significant competition within the AAC from universities with strong programs like the University of South Florida, the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Tulane University and the University of Texas at San Antonio.

Warren said the men’s team hopes to use their strong throwing lineup to gain an advantage over other AAC programs. 

“We’ve got Jack Greaves, Aryan Padaruth and Gus Henry in the javelin,” Warren said. “Freshman Juan Marais is just phenomenal at the discus. We throw in [sophomore] Daniel Sowell. We throw in that combination of guys in discus and shot; that’s our strongest area.” 

Warren said his primary vision is ensuring his team can use its strengths to make up for any potential deficiencies.

“When there’s 21 events, you’re going to be weak in one,” Warren said. “Our weakness is probably going to be in the pure sprints. The goal is to try to not be weak in any area, but we have to give up in certain areas to cover others.”

As for runners, Warren mentioned juniors Gus Gannon and Christian Edgar. Last season, Gannon placed second in the AAC in the steeplechase and the 1500. 

Warren also expressed high hopes for Edgar, who he said has improved in the 110 hurdles and as a leg on the 4x400.

The women’s team also enters the upcoming season with a roster of medalling athletes.

“Right now, we’ve got perhaps the best sprinter we’ve ever had at Rice: Saniya Friendly,” Bevan said. “She broke our school record in the 60, and we anticipate her doing great things on the outdoor track. Riana Green is going to make a breakthrough in the 400 and maybe the 400 hurdles this spring.” 

Junior Amelie Attenborough, who runs the 800 and the mile, said the distance runners are also gearing up to win.

“We’ve definitely got a lot of young talent this year, which is really exciting,” Attenborough said. “That, partnered with a bunch of really experienced and high-performing athletes, can be a really powerful combination.”

Bevan said he has high expectations for his field events as well.

“Alice Taylor was fifth in the nation at one time last year, and her twin sister, Josie, is an All-American high jumper,” Bevan said. “Elena Siemens is a senior pole vaulter who I think is ready to have her best season.”

Bevan also said the team is ready for a successful season. 

“This is like the fourth lap of a mile,” Bevan said. “We’re getting ready to come down the home stretch, and holding rest, studying and training together for the next five weeks is a big deal. So this is kind of like it’s time to kick.” 

Both coaches also had words of encouragement for their teams as they begin the season. 

“You’re here for two reasons: academics and athletics,” Warren said. “Focus on those primary things, and everything will be great.”

The Owls will host another home meet April 26 at 6 p.m. 

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