LYNCHBURG, Va. – Blake Rimmer hit the NAIA qualifying mark and placed 2^nd in the process as CIU went to work at the Liberty Open, hosted by Liberty University. Rimmer had been close to the mark all season, but on his 3^rd attempt on the 4.65m mark, he cleared it.
 
Kenneth Simmons hit the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) and NCCAA meet qualification in the 60m (7.19), as did Irvin Sumter (7.26), while Ethan Robinson had a time of 23.36 in the 200m, netting him a AAC qualification spot. Dario Laing had top-20 finishes in the 400m (53.53), while Josh Zhang secured a conference qualifying distance spot in the 5000 meters with a time of 16:20.14. Gavin Barfield also took part in the event with a personal best of 16:34.27.. Spencer Evans led the Rams' in the mile with a PR time of 4:54.54. Tavarres Berrian and Evans both took part in the 800m where Berrian finished with a time 2:04.72 and Evans set his PR crossing the finish line at 2:11.14. 

Deandre Leith did not participate this meet, so Dizayuh Hinton lead CIU's throws squad in his absence. He secured a 13^th place finish in the shot put  (12.41m) and 14^th in the weight throw (12.24m). 
 
What Coach Tim Thompson is saying: "The Rams are here! We went to Liberty University and competed at a high level with passion and purpose. We accomplished the most PR's of the season with a few NAIA national qualifiers. It is clear, we are locked in and ready. AAC, NCCAA and NAIA get ready, here we come!"
 
Up Next: CIU's qualifiers will go to the NCCAA Indoor & Field Championship held in Cedarville , Ohio. The meet will take place Feb. 10-11.