JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – For the second straight indoor season, David Needs and the Carson-Newman Track & Field program will begin the campaign in Salem, Va. for the Bast-Cregger Invitational at Roanoke Roanoke College on Dec. 1.
"We are in a great spot despite losing some great athletes and that really doesn't diminish where we are," Coach Needs said. "We have put in a really good fall with our kids. They have really developed in every aspect from a sprint, jump, and throwing standpoint. You wish you had all the bullets in our gun but we will take a great group of people who have worked hard."
Following its appearance 365 days ago, the Eagles broke six school records over the two-day meet. Notably, five of the six program high times include athletes who will return to the team. Currently, 22 of the program's records are held by athletes on this year's team.
Kristofer Potts-Howard (Tullahoma, Tenn.) set a new school record in the men's long jump. The senior jumper landed a jump of 7.26 meters on his first attempt on the afternoon. The attempt not only had Potts-Howard sitting in the top-position going into the final round of competition but it also provisionally qualified him for the indoor nationals that season.
As a freshman, Tia Davis (Ooltewah, Tenn.) set a new school record in the 60-meter dash with a time of 7.98 seconds. She followed that up later in the day breaking a program-high mark in the 200-meter dash at 26.53 seconds.
"With the freshman, it's all about telling where they are," Coach Needs said. "It's that transition from being a first-year athlete to a college athlete. We're excited about a few of our athletes. Tia has worked really hard this fall so we are excited with where she is at. James Wilson, a transfer, should be able to help us a lot and we have a lot of athletes who can go in multiple events."
Luke Greer ((Abington, United Kingdom) set a new school record in the 3000-meter race with a time of 8:35.44. The Abington, United Kingdom native will be competing in the NCAA Division II Cross Country Championships in Pittsburgh, Pa. this weekend.
The men's 4x400-m relay set a new program mark at 3:28.55. Three of the four include Caleb Agee, Jeremiah McCarter, and Adan Vazquez, all who will return this season for C-N. Kieran Showler-Davis was the fourth member but will not compete until the outdoor season.
Bekah White (Rockford, Tenn.) set a new personal record in the women's 3000-meters. The Tennessee native came in 18th place with a time of 11:47.01. She was one of two Academic All-America selections last season and also claimed the South Atlantic Conference's Elite 20 award which is given to the student with the highest grade point average.
Despite losing a significant part of the program's success over the past four years in Tanner Stepp, C-N returns two All-Americans. Sophomore Devon Moore claimed the Indoor Freshman of the Year award from the SAC last season and was an honorable mention in the 60m dash. He also qualified for the 200m dash, however, due to injury he pulled out from the race. The aforementioned Showler-Davis was a First-Team All-American in the 100m dash.
Remain up to date with this weekend's festivities at @CN_Track & @CNAthletics on Twitter.
-CN-