CENTRAL, S.C. - CIU track and field showed up and made a statement at the Gotta Run Invite hosted by Southern Wesleyan University. It was a day filled with PRs, as well as Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) and NCCAA qualifying times. 

For the men, Dario Laing placed first in the 100m hurdles (14.83 PR) and second in the 400m hurdles, with Jacob Osmanski not far behind, placing fourth in the 100m hurdles (15.77 PR) to qualify for AACs and NCCAAs. Irvin Sumter qualified for AACs in the 200m race (22.73), while Kenneth Simmons recorded his PR in the same event (22.97). Josh Zhang was the sole Ram to compete in the men's 5K and finished with a time of 16:56.11 (PR). Nathaniel Long secured himself a spot at AACs in the 3000m steeplechase (11:16.10), and Joel Baumgarten was not far behind (11:22.55). 

In the men's 400m, Simmons recorded a time of 52.23 (AAC, PR), Clayton Hammond at 52.35, and Sumter at 53.86. Tavarres Berrian (2:08.09) and Spencer Evans (2:11.73) in the men's 800m, while Phillip Frazier competed in the men's 100m (11.70) and triple jump (12.08m). The men's 4x400m relay (Hammond, Simmons, Frazier, Laing) finished in seventh with a time of 3:39.24. Osmanski came in second in the javelin throw (46.91m PR NCCAA), as Bryce Scarborough hit a PR in both shot put (11.37) and discus (38.86m), and Colton Buchanan also hit a PR in the hammer throw (39.01m). 

The women's team came out as strong as the men's and picked up multiple accolades. Crystal Jones placed second in the 400m hurdles (1:08 PR). Trinyty Gregory ran the 100m in 12.39 to secure a spot at AACs and NCCAAs. Alongside her, Jayla Hunter recorded a time of 14.36 (PR). Gregory also competed in the 200m with a time of 25.79 (PR). Jordan Wray (2:45) ran in the 800m, while Rosemary Reed (5:18 PR) broke the school record in the 1500m. 

In the hammer throw, Dazanni Hinton (46.03m) placed first, Lillian Grumbles (31.26m PR) qualified for AAC, and Haven Lynn (28.75m) recorded a PR; Grumbles (33.47m PR) also competed in the discus for the Rams. Kloey Pickens (12.20m) and Acoya Hunt (11.29m) placed first and second in the shot put. Pickens (31.08m) also placed fourth in the javelin throw. 

What Coach Tim Thompson is saying: 

"The momentum continues! This program has found its groove. We are clicking on all cylinders. Our staff is putting together some great workouts. Our athletes are responding accordingly in great preparation as we head towards the championship track meets."

Up Next: 

CIU gears up to compete in the Electric City Invite in Anderson, S.C., on April 14-15.