The Windsor Lancers Track and Field program is set to host the 31st Annual Can-Am Classic this weekend at the St. Denis Centre.
 
The events will run on Friday January 13^th starting at 5:00pm with the 60mH prelims and carry over to Saturday starting at 10:30am.
 
Heading into the meet, the defending CIS National Champion Lancers currently sit at No. 3 in the CIS men's standings while the women are ranked No. 4. 

This will mark the first official meet of the 2012 season, and will see a large Windsor contingent looking to place in the medal standings. 

Fresh off of training camp in Florida, many returning faces for the Blue & Gold are poised to start the season off on the right foot and return to the CIS Championships.
 
Veteran sprinters Nicole Sassine and Camille Wallace are expected to lead the Lancer sprints while 2009 Canada Games Champion Emile Halle appears poised for a breakout year as well.
 
Andrina Slegers is presently ranked 3rd in CIS 600m, while teammate Heather Kurpe is coming off a great summer season of competition. 
 
Samantha Kellam and teammate Meaghan Marton had exceptional performances at the annual Blue & Gold meet and should be strong for the Lancers in the short middle-distance events.  

Veteran Jen Corrick enjoyed a great cross country season where she was named to the all-OUA Conference Team, and should be a factor in the 1500 and 3000 metre events.  
 
First year standout Sarah Swain, from North Bay's Chippewa S.S., appears to be in a contending position in the 60m Hurdles and pole vault, while Jaideene Lowe, Canada's current leader in the triple jump with a solid opening performance of 12.20 metres, is expected to be a major contender in both the long and triple jump events.
 
The Lancers have a total of five women shot putters this season, all of whom could all qualify for the National finals.  Led by Lancer record holder Celine Gibb and All-Canadian Steffi Stephenson, the Lancers hope to score big points at the OUA Championships and CIS Finals in the throwing events.
 
On the men's side, the Lancers will be looking to claim their 14th consecutive OUA championship title and repeat as CIS National Champions.
 
After a solid cross country season, All-Canadian Anthony Berkis is poised to have a big year in the 1000m. Berkis was fifth at the national Outdoor Track and Field Championships last year in Calgary and a member of the World University games team in the 1500m.  Also opening the season will be Dustin Eldridge who was last year's 600m bronze medallist at the national championships.
 
Sophomore Arren Young, last summer's national junior champion in the long jump will contest his specialty, while rookie Matt West, fourth in the decathlon at last summer's Pan Am Junior Championships, will compete in the High Jump, Long Jump and 60mH. 
 
The Lancers also hope to qualify for the National finals in the relays (4x200m, 4x400m and 4x800m) and will contest some strong teams in those events throughout the season.
 
Others to watch for include Aaron Bowman, who is ranked 4th overall in the 60m, Chris Reid who is ranked #1 in Canada in the 300m, and Andrew Dandie, who is a multiple treat, being ranked #2 nationally in high jump, and #3 in long jump.
 
Rookie Branden Wilhelm will also be a threat to the competition as he is currently ranked # 1 in high jump in CIS
 
These Lancer leaders will lead the way for this year's edition of the Blue & Gold as they begin their quest to once again capture two CIS National Championship titles.