VIDEO: David Needs Interview
JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn.—The Carson-Newman track and field team will send a program-best nine athletes to the historic running of the Penn Relays this weekend, April 27-29, with hopes of improving and picking up national-qualifying marks and times in the latter portion of the 2017 outdoor season.
A season ago, C-N sent five representatives to the games after sporting only two in 2014. This year marks the third-consecutive season the Eagles have made the trek to the historic track meet that features the oldest facility in the United States that is still in use, Franklin Field.
Built in 1895 for the first running of the Penn Relays, Franklin Field featured the nation's first scoreboard. It has been the home of the Philadelphia Eagles, University of Pennsylvania football, baseball, lacrosse, soccer, baseball and field hockey throughout its lifespan.
"It's the biggest environment that our athletes run in every year. Last year our kids competed in front of 50,000 people," coach David Needs said. "The stadium is loud and it's a really great atmosphere for a meet. We are fortunate to be taking nine athletes this year because that just doesn't happen."
Aside from the historic site, the meet itself sports some of the nation's best track and field athletes. Representatives from major Division I programs will be in attendance, as well as representatives from national clubs from around the world who will be competing as unattached athletes.
Carson-Newman will be sending nine athletes to the games and are highlighted by senior long jumper T.J. Davis (Chattanooga, Tenn.). Two years ago at the 2015 Penn Relays, the then sophomore leaped a career-best 7.27 meters en route to a fifth-place finish. Last season, Davis tallied another top-10 finish with a jump of 6.94 meters.
Davis is coming off his third South Atlantic Conference championship in the men's long jump in four years.
Joining Davis in the men's long jump will be Kristopher Potts-Howard (Tullahoma, Tenn.), Timontrez Eady (Duvall County, Fla.) and Ray Artybridge (Iva, S.C.). All three have recorded a jump that is over seven meters in their respected careers as Potts-Howard recorded a jump of 7.44 meters at the Tennessee Rust Buster on March 25 to take home SAC Field Athlete of the Week honors.
The athlete will also be competing in the men's triple jump over the weekend as the sophomore also recorded a career-high in the event at the Tennessee Rust Buster with a mark of 14.57 meters.
"It's good for us that we have all four of our long jumpers together competing side-by-side this weekend," Needs said. "We talk about it as a staff all the time that we are at our best when one person sets a mark and then another teammate passes it. They feed off each other and encourage each other. Coach Stepp does a great job coaching them and teaching them to be for each other."
Caleb Agee, who is coming off a SAC championship in the men's 400 meter hurdles, will take part in the event for C-N looking to best a career-best time of 55.25 seconds. The men's 4X100 meter relay will follow with Noah Hill (Nashville, Tenn.), Eady, Artybridge and Potts-Howard representing the Eagles.
Carson-Newman will send two high jumpers to compete over the weekend as Tanner Stepp (Jefferson City, Tenn.) looks to best a season-high of 2.13 meters picked up at the SAC Championships on April 14. The junior and four-time All-American is currently tied for third in the nation in the event and has been invited to the elite-sector of the high jump on Saturday afternoon.
"Tanner doesn't care where he jumps. He is who he is wherever he is competing," Needs said. "As far as jumping goes, Tanner is his own best friend and his own worst enemy at times. We are extremely excited for him to be competing in the elite high jump because he won't only be going against other college athletes, but Olympic hopefuls and professionals. It's another great opportunity for him."
Stumpf will compete in the men's high jump as the sophomore will be looking to surpass the 2.00 meter height for the first time in the outdoor campaign. The Johnson City, Tenn. native leaped a career-high of 2.07 meters during the indoor season at the ETSU Track & Field Track & Field Invitational on Jan. 13.
The Eagles' lone female who will be making the trek to the 123rd annual Penn Relays is senior Tiana Mills (Chattanooga, Tenn.). The jumper readies for both horizontal leaps over the weekend, beginning with the long jump Thursday afternoon at 4 p.m. Mills is coming off a SAC Championship in the event after recording a mark of 5.81 meters. The senior will also compete in the women's long jump Friday afternoon by looking to improve an 11.71 meter posting from the league championships that also ranked as the best of her senior season.
The longest-uninterrupted track and field meet in the United States begins Thursday afternoon and runs all the way through Saturday night. Complete recaps following each day of events can be found online at cneagles.com. For live updates throughout the days of competition, follow the team's Twitter account at @CN_Track.
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