HICKORY, N.C.- Carson-Newman track and field is headed back from the LR Bears Opener today, Mar. 16, with first-place finishes and nationally ranked performances.
"We had a great day," head track and field coach David Needs said. "It was a great chance to get the outdoor season off to a good start".
Amine Kasmi grabbed gold in the men's 200-meter dash in 20.83. Kasmi holds the current fastest time in the event in Division II. Teammate Lucas Besong grabbed bronze in 21.82, and Shemar Patten finished sixth in 22.04. Quacy Virgo rounded out the top-nine for the Eagles in 22.25.
"Even with a negative headwind, Kasmi ran the fastest 200 in the country currently," Needs said. "It was awesome to see him get off to such a strong start".
Tytiana Wilson found success in the women's 200-meter dash where she finished fifth in 24.95. Myke'Lah McMiller finished 14th in the event in 26.13.
"Verrol is another one who had a big day," Needs said. "To start off the field events with a 2.10-meter performance in the high jump is really amazing. He is currently number one in the country after today".
In the men's high jump, Verrol Sam finished in first place with a 2.10-meter mark in the event. Oluwafemi Richards finished third with a 1.98-meter performance. For the women, Kendall Whitehead placed sixth with a 1.46-meter mark in the event.
Jeremiah Carroll placed fourth in the men's 110-meter hurdles event in 14.99.
Patten raced again in the men's 100-meter dash and placed 10th in 10.99. Janaya Davis-Gainer finished 12th in the women's 100-meter dash in 12.63.
Raymond Brugmans placed fifth in the men's 3,000-meter steeplechase in 10:10.30. He raced again in the men's 400 hurdles where he finished ninth in 59.12.
"I can't say enough about Ray who was willing to double up in the 3,000-meter steeplechase and 400 hurdles," Needs said. "That is a tremendously difficult double, but Ray is someone who puts the team first".
In the men's 800-meter run, Garrett Wilson placed fifth (2:01.33) and Bryson Burkett grabbed sixth (2:01.95). McKenna Spaulding finished sixth in the women's 800-meter run. Spaulding ran the race in 2:31.45.
In the women's 1,500-meter run, Jenna Pittman came in ninth in 5:00.58. Christian Henry raced for the men and placed 14th in 4:19.89. Imke Van Gog placed sixth in the women's 5,000-meter run in 19:03.52. Freshman Peyton Couch finished 10th in the event (20:25.77).
The men's 4x400-meter relay finished first in 3:21.68. Kasmi, Besong, Patten, and Taylor Dupler each ran a leg in the event.
"For many, this was a chance to do events that we don't do at all during indoor like the javelin, hammer, discus, and hurdle events", Needs said. "It makes it that much more exciting to see those athletes do well who have waited for these moments".
Kellie Ivens finished ninth in the women's javelin throw with a 24.23-meter performance. Teammate Whitehead finished 10th with 21.72-meter mark. On the men's side of the event, James Duncan finished ninth (39.61 m), and Henry placed 10th (39.54 m).
In the men's shot put, Luke Smith finished fifth with a 14.94-meter performance. Taylor Steele grabbed the 11-spot in the women's shot put with a 10.37-meter mark.
"We had so many athletes who followed up on indoor success," Needs said. "Brooke Taylor got a personal best in the long jump, for example. I'm proud of how the team is building on what we have accomplished so far this year".
The Eagles crowded the top-six in the women's long jump. Sydney McCarty (5.66 m), Taylor (5.65 m), Savannah Goodwin (5.56 m), and Brooke Visser (5.41 m) finished second, third, fifth, and sixth respectively. In the men's long jump, Camden Fritz finished fifth with a 7.01-meter leap.
"As a staff, we saw a lot to celebrate," Needs said. "However, there is always room to improve. That is the goal as we move forward into the outdoor season".
Carson-Newman track and field kicked off the outdoor season with first-place finishes and personal best performances. The full outdoor track and field schedule will be released soon. Stay up to date on cneagles.com.
