VIRGINIA BEACH, Va.- Carson-Newman track and field left day one of the Division II Pre-Nationals with five spots on the podium.
"It was a great start to the meet. We love the consistency of our long jumpers, both male and female, our hurdlers, and our sprinters. In a two-day meet, we look for a degree of toughness and consistency which is something we saw in our athletes today," head track and field coach David Needs said.
Carson-Newman competed in eight of the 15 track and field events held during the first day of Division II Pre-Nationals. Those events consisted of the men's and women's 60-meter hurdles prelims, men's and women's 60-meter dash prelims and semis, and the men's and women's long jump. Carson-Newman posted five top-three finishes including a win in the men's long jump.
Courtavious Garrett won gold in the men's long jump with a 7.14-meter jump. Kadidja Sangare placed second in the women's long jump with a 5.83-meter jump. Sydney McCarty placed sixth with a 5.56-meter leap.
Sangare placed fourth in the women's 60-meter hurdles prelims in 8.82 seconds, and Matthew Blackmon finished in 8.16 seconds for a fifth-place finish. The 60-meter hurdles finals will be held tomorrow beginning at 5:10 p.m.
Makanakaishe Charamba placed third in the men's 60-meter prelims in 6.84 seconds. Siphosethu Boya placed ninth in 6.90 seconds. On the women's side, Sade De Sousa placed third in 7.46 seconds. De Sousa placed third in the women's 60-meter semis as well with a time of 7.53 seconds. Finals for the 60-meter dash will be held tomorrow, Saturday, Feb. 11 beginning at 5:00 p.m.
"Looking forward to what tomorrow brings as we emphasize our longer sprints along with the jumps. Great competition should bring out the best in a great athlete, and tomorrow is one of those days to excel," Needs said.
The Eagles are back in action tomorrow for the final day of Division II Pre-Nationals beginning at 8:00 a.m.
