Interview: David Needs
JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn.—The Carson-Newman track and field team will begin the 2016 outdoor season at the Power Sox Invitational Saturday as the Eagles look to continue to carry momentum over from C-N's best indoor season in program history.
"After going do nationals last weekend, it's going to be a short turnaround," coach David Needs said. "All three of our athletes who competed at nationals will be competing this weekend as well. We are hoping that the peak they worked towards during the indoor season will translate into the outdoor campaign."
The Eagles concluded the indoor slate on March 11 and 12 at the 2016 NCAA Division II Indoor Track & Field Championships in Pittsburg, K.S. with three national qualifiers and two All-American showings.
Tanner Stepp (Jefferson City, Tenn.) finished sixth in the men's high jump following a 2.06 meters clearance and Kevin Snead (Richmond, Va.) completed the men's 60 meter dash with a 6.81 second time which was good enough for a 10th-place showing.
Both athletes received All-American honors from the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association.
Tori Gaul (Salisbury, N.C.) also competed in the Indoor Championships for Crason-Newman in the women's pole vault.
South Atlantic Conference rival Lenoir-Rhyne will be hosting the 2016 Power Sox Invitational that will begin Saturday morning at 10:00 a.m. with the men and women's hammer and javelin throw, long and high jumps and pole vaults.
The track events will resume play at approximately 10:30 a.m. with the women's 3000m Steeple Chase and will conclude action at 4:15 p.m. with the men's 4 X 400m relay.
The Moretz Sports Complex/Iren Belk Track Facility on the campus of Lenoir-Rhyne will play host to the Power Sox Invitational. The running surface featured will be an eight lane Mondo SX track with two bi-directional horizontal jump runways, a one shot hammer ring, two discus rings and bi-directional vaulting boxes available.
"Outdoor track and field is a little bit different compared to indoor," Needs said. "The track is longer, the speed is different in some events and there are a lot more events overall. There is just a lot more variety. There will be a lot more teams competing in the outdoor season that maybe didn't have a chance to compete in indoor. We are really looking forward to what this season has in store for us."
A complete recap will be available at cneagles.com following the meet and live updates will be available on twitter at @CN_Track.
-CN-