MOUNT VERNON, Ga. - CIU men's and women's track and field teams headed to the Peach State for their first indoor meet of the season. The squad competed in the Barons Invitation Meet picking up a slew of Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) and NCCAA qualifiers against Thomas University (Ga.) and the host, Brewton-Parker College. Both teams claimed second place after their first performance under the helm of the new Director of Track & Field, Benny Morgan. 

Morgan Johnson clocked 9.65 in the 60m hurdles (AAC & NCCAA qualifying), while Elizabeth Gustafson set a new school record in the 1000m race at 3:27.53. Morgan Hartman (6:13.38) and Jada Figgins (6:32.38) represented CIU in the mile run. In the 600m, Mercy Berkemeyer secured first place at 1:45.66 (AAC, 2nd in school history). Jordan Wray completed the 400m dash in 1:08.81, and Johnson placed fourth in the 200m at 26.67 (AAC & NCCAA).

In the field events, Kloey Pickens (15.82m, AAC & NCCAA), Acoya Hunt (12.83m, AAC & NCCAA), Hannah Grace Koverman (11.95m, AAC), and Janasia Day (11.02m) swept the top four spots in the weight throw. Pickens (AAC & NCCAA), Hunt (AAC), and Day also claimed the top three positions in the shot put with marks of 12.46m, 10.32m, and 8.64m.

On the men's side, Joey Canning posted a time of 9:46.39 in the 3000m run. Spencer Evans (2:50.79) and Malik Beaver (2:50.89) earned first and second in the 1000m, while Julian Carranza won the 600m in 1:28.46 (AAC). Hunter McCaskill followed with a fourth-place finish at 1:33.39. Daiquarius Coleman (54.77) and Kevin Cunningham (56.14) placed third and fourth in the 400m dash, and Chance Guthrie finished the 200m dash in 23.07 (AAC & NCCAA).

In field events, Bryce Scarborough (11.50m), Colton Buchanan (11.38m), Jordan Donovan (11.32m), and Casey Feaster (8.57m) represented in the weight throw, with Scarborough and Feaster also competing in the shot put at 11.02m and 8.85m, respectively. Elijah Seawright had a standout day, finishing fourth in the long jump (6.46m) and first in the triple jump with a mark of 13.93m (AAC & NCCAA, both events). Seawright's leap in the triple set the school-record in the event. 

Up Next: The Rams will be back in action in the new year, heading to the VMI Team Challenge in Lexington, Va., on Saturday, Jan. 11th.