MOUNT VERNON, GA. - CIU Men's and Women's Track and Field kicked off their indoor season on Saturday at the Barons Invitation Meet. However, the whole squad did not compete today, as only the throwers and jumpers represented the Rams. 

Kloey Pickens highlighted the women's shot put performance, coming in first with a distance of 12.00m. Coral Curry finished with a mark of 10.76m, and Acoya Hunt was just behind with 10.66m. Morgan Johnson (10.51m), Hannah Grace Sparks (8.60m), and Lillian Grumbles (6.81m) rounded out the shot put competition. 

Five Rams finished in the top six in the women's weight throw. Dazanni Hinton led the way at 15.25m, with Pickens behind her at 14.12m. Curry (13.16m), Hannah Grace Sparks (12.53m), and Acoya Hunt (11.87m) also represented well. 

Trinyty Gregory and Johnson swept the women's long jump with distances of 5.47m and 5.14m. 

Deandre Leith headlined the men's shot put competition with a distance of 16.06m. Cameron Montgomery came in third at 14.23m. Bryce Scarborough and Elijah Graham finished neck and neck at 11.61m and 11.55m, respectively. 

The men's team posted three in the top five in the men's weight throw. Graham came in first with 14.53m. Montgomery (13.16m) and Scarborough (12.94m) finished in fourth and fifth, respectively. Colton Buchanan competed in the event as well, finishing with a distance of 10.28m.

Dario Laing (6.10m) and Denim Jones (5.32m) represented CIU in the men's long jump. 

What CIU Director of Track & Field Tim Thompson is saying: "It's track season! I'm really proud of this group. Coach Sparks and throws set the tone early! Coach Anteca Hill and the jumpers kept the momentum going strong! Today was an opportunity for many of our new athletes and freshmen to get a taste of college competition. We ended the day with 1 NAIA "A" Standard qualifier, 16 AAC qualifiers, 11 NCCAA qualifiers, four 1st place finishes, two 2nd place finishes, and three 3rd place finishes, and even more PRs. Today's competition is dedicated to Darren Richie. He taught us to compete for Jesus. We definitely did that. Your leadership is why we are successful. We love you, Coach Richie!"

Up Next: Both teams will pick competition back up in 2024 at the Mondo College Invitational on Saturday, Jan. 13.