KNOXVILLE, Tenn.- Carson-Newman track and field left the second day of the UT Invite with top-5 finishes and new NCAA DII Outdoor Rankings this afternoon, April 6.
"It was certainly a good day of running and competing against quality competition. The weather was also great compared to yesterday," Needs said. "We were firing on all cylinders today, and I'm proud of how the team represented Carson-Newman against great competition".
Oluwafemi Richards placed third in the men's high jump with a new personal record. Richards finished the event with a 2.05-meter performance, grabbing the 20th best mark in NCAA DII. Teammate Verrol Sam finished fifth in the event with a 2.00-meter mark.
"I can't say enough about Femi and how proud we are of him," Needs said. "Prior to today, he has never had a qualifying mark in the high jump. He provisionally qualified today. He gives so unselfishly to the team. It really makes you feel good to see someone who has such a great character and competitive nature find that success".
During the men's 4x100-meter relay, Carson-Newman placed second with a season-best time of 40.64. Amine Kamsi, Quacy Virgo, Lucas Besong, and Dawson Jones each contributed to the finish. The Eagles now hold the ninth fastest time in the event in NCAA DII.
"The relay did really well. It's a statement to go and finish second against that level of competition," Needs said. "I was also really glad to see Sade back and running with us. She had a great day".
Sade De Sousa placed fourth in the women's 100-meter dash. De Sousa finished the event in 11.69, grabbing the 12th fastest time in the event in NCAA DII. She was bested only by Division I competition. Teammate Janaya Davis-Gainer finished 16th in the event in 12.05. Virgo ran a personal best in the men's 100-meter dash in 10.81. He placed seventh in the event. Jones finished 11th in 10.86.
Besong placed eighth in the men's 400 dash in 48.79, a new personal best time. Taylor Dupler also grabbed a new personal best in 50.08 to finish 22nd in the event. Teammate Ethan Blaylock set a new season-best time in 51.93. In the women's 400-meter dash, Tytiana Wilson finished 14th in 57.00. Wilson grabbed a season-best time with her performance. Myke'Lah McMiller set a new personal record in 58.88 to finish 25th.
Kadidja Sangare finished 16th in the women's 100-meter hurdles prelims. Sangare ran the event in 14.60.
"Luke threw really well today," Needs said. "He was another one that I was really excited for. We also had some good jumps today as well".
Luke Smith placed 11th in the men's shot put. Smith finished with a 14.79-meter mark. Brooke Taylor finished 20th in the women's triple jump with an 11.21-meter mark.
Raymond Brugmans finished 25th in the men's 800-meter race. Brugmans completed the race in 1:56.95, a season-best time. Garrett Wilson also ran a season-best time in 1:57.86 to finish 29th in the event. Bryson Burkett set a new personal record in 2:01.09. Jenna Pittman ran a personal best in the women's 800-meter race in 2:23.27. Teammate McKenna Spaudling also grabbed a new personal record in 2:29.34.
"We worked hard to be successful today," Needs said. "I was happy to see that the team didn't get intimidated by the competition. We really showed people who we are this weekend".
Carson-Newman track and field will be back in action next Friday, April 12 at the Electric City Invitational in Anderson, S.C. Stay up to date on cneagles.com.
