Video: Samantha Gudger Interview
Video: Noah Robertson Interview
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Carson-Newman Track & Field wrapped up day one of the South Atlantic Conference Outdoor Championships with three student-athletes earning top marks in their respective event finals.
Freshman Noah Robertson took home the title in the pole vault for Carson-Newman after clearing a height of 4.25 meters.
Robertson was second to Mars Hill vaulter Spencer Shade following the indoor championships, but was able to edge Lions indoor circuit event winner on Thursday afternoon.
"At that point it was just about clearing the height and jumping the way I know I can," Robertson explained. "Coming into indoor, I was really nervous as a freshman jumping against guys older than me. Coming out here I knew that I could jump with them and win."
Congratulations to Noah Robertson of @CN_Track who takes home the conference title in the pole vault! pic.twitter.com/U5LHsw261X
— C-N Athletics (@CNathletics) April 19, 2018
Samantha Gudger grabbed C-N's second conference championship of the day after collecting the top spot in the long jump after clearing 5.70 meters, topping Wingate's Vanisha Wilshire. The mark gave Gudger a new personal record in the event.
"My approach has finally gotten a lot better," Gudger stated. "I'm able to be consistent instead of it just being a fluke and having one good jump. Coach Stepp has been a great influence for all of us keeping us relaxed."
The senior held the fourth-place spot following the 2018 Indoor League Championships two months ago with a jump of 5.29 meters.
Tally another! @SammJamm1 notches a conference title in the long jump for @CN_Track's second Conference Champion today! pic.twitter.com/wgrZap160Q
— C-N Athletics (@CNathletics) April 19, 2018
Sheby Reynolds posted an outdoor personal record and matched a lifetime best in the event to claim points for C-N with a 5.38 jump. Lexie Sczerba also notched a personal record with a jump of 4.46 meters.
Tori Gaul helped sweep the pole vault competition after a top-mark to clear 3.81 meters. The Salisbury, N.C. native also claimed first-place during the league's indoor championships when she cleared 3.72 meters at the JDL Fast Track in February.
Tally another! @SammJamm1 notches a conference title in the long jump for @CN_Track's second Conference Champion today! pic.twitter.com/wgrZap160Q
— C-N Athletics (@CNathletics) April 19, 2018
Caleb Agee took first-place in his respective heat in the 400-meter hurdles preliminary race posting a time of 55.43 seconds. Agee will compete in the finals slated for tomorrow.
Kieran Showler-Davis placed second overall in the 100-meter dash and first in his heat with a time of 10.47 seconds. The senior out of Winchester, England also turned in a time of 21.63 seconds in the 200-meter which was first in his respective heat and third overall. The finals for both events will take place tomorrow.
Jahvad McDermott also reached the finals for the Eagles in the long jump after posting a 6.64-meter distance in the preliminary event.
"Noah and Tori did a great job today and we always love sweeps," Needs mentioned. "Noah wanted to win today and he did that. Tori proved why her career has been so special for us. We're pretty sure that mark can make it into nationals. She doesn't make excuses, she gets after it and we're a better program because of her.
"The credit of those long jumpers goes to them certainly but it also goes to Coach Stepp. He has a plan and we have a plan here at C-N to continue to build and we've done that."
The final day of the league outdoor championships is set to commence tomorrow at the Irwin Belk Complex.
-CN-
