BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Both Joseph Oreva and Devon Moore earned All-American positions after competing in the 2021 Division II Indoor National Championships.
On his first jump of the afternoon, Oreva recorded a jump of 7.21 meters (23'8") to start the preliminary round in 4th place.
After faulting on his second and third jump, Oreva entered the finals with some work to do, sitting at seventh place overall.
The faults continued into the finals, with Oreva faulting his fourth and fifth jumps. The Nigeria native finished strong, with a final jump of 7.46 meters (24' 5.75") to wrap up a fourth place finish and a first-team All-American spot.
"Joseph battled hard through a heel injury to earn fourth place," says Director of Track and Field and Cross Country David Needs. "He showed that despite the obstacles, he committed to the very end. For a guy who never competed in indoor track until January, we think he is off to a great start."
With a jump of 7.46 meters, Joseph Oreva finishes fourth place and is a first-team All-American in the long jump at the @NCAADII Indoor National Championships. @CN_Track pic.twitter.com/rPvuPpcjGc
— Carson-Newman Athletics (@CNathletics) March 12, 2021
Devon Moore punched his ticket to the 60 meter finals with a second place finish in his preliminary heat with a time of 6.76 seconds. Moore will enter the finals on Saturday at third place overall, behind Mason Phillips of Northwood and Benjamin Azamati of West Texas A&M.
With a second place finish and a time of 6.76 seconds, @ReallVon moves on to the finals of the 60 meter run. @CN_Track pic.twitter.com/G4IP3spGvc
— Carson-Newman Athletics (@CNathletics) March 12, 2021
Thirty minutes later, Moore finished second in his heat and fourth overall with a time of 21.36 seconds to send him to national finals of the indoor 200 meter run for the first time in his career. The Baxley, Ga. native faulted in his last appearance at the 2019 Indoor Championships.
"Devon showed maturity as a competitor," says Needs. "He didn't race like it was a final but positioned himself to be in the final. We like what we saw and are excited for tomorrow's opportunity."
With a time of 21.36 seconds, @ReallVon qualifies for the finals of the 200 meter run and is now an eight-time All-American! @CN_Track pic.twitter.com/zBhD1hWlCq
— Carson-Newman Athletics (@CNathletics) March 12, 2021
This is the first All-American honor for Oreva. For Moore, he breaks a tie with Tanner Stepp to become an eight-time All-American, the most in the history of Carson-Newman Track & Field.
Moore will race in the finals of the 60 meter and 200 meter tomorrow. The 60 meter finals begin at 3:10 PM while the 200 meter finals begin at 3:50 PM. Live video can be found at NCAA.com.
