COLUMBIA - CIU men's track and field made the short walk down to the CIU track and field complex on Saturday to complete day two of the inaugural John-Hunter James Classic. The Rams looked sharp as they finished the meet third overall as a team.
The Rams got things going with the shot put as Cameron Montgomery finished second with a toss of 15.14m (NCCAA & AAC Qualifier). Bryce Scarborough heaved the shot 12.05m (AAC Qualifier), while teammate Colton Buchanon tallied a mark of 10.44m. Montgomery also took part in the discus with a hurl of 28.37m.
The Rams had two athletes contend in the long jump, with Irvin Sumter placing third at 6.18m. Denim Jones was the second Rams contender with a leap of 5.75m.
Branson Rimmer continues a strong start to his outdoor season as the veteran pole vaulter finished second on the day in the event at 3.80m (AAC Qualifier).
On the track, Dario Laing (14.41) looked in top form, winning the 110 hurdles. Laing hit the NAIA "A" standard and currently has the second-fastest time in the NAIA.
Sumter (11.46) and Kevin Cunningham (11.98) represented the Rams in the 100-meters. Cunningham also took part in the 400-meter run as his teammates Julian Carranza (55.05), Jones (52.98), and Clayton Hammonds (50.57 AAC & NCCAA Qualifier) were all notable competitors in the run.
CIU saw success in the 4x100 as Laing, Sumter, Jones, and Hammond made up a relay squad that finished third (42.32). Time is currently the fastest in the NCCAA. The set of runners battled in the 4x400 as the group finished at 3:37.10.
The Ram's distance squad was well-represented on day two as Spencer Evans paced CIU in the 800-meter run, clocking in at 2:07.56. CIU's distance team continued to battle as Joel Baumgarten (11:12.89), Nathaniel Long (11:25.93), and Landon Batterman (11:32.78) slogged through the 3,000-meter steeplechase.
What Assistant Coach John Sparks is saying: "It was great to be able to honor the memory of John Hunter James by renaming this track meet the John-Hunter Classic. Our men's and women's teams performed well, placing third and first, respectively. With all the NAIA, NCCAA and AAC qualifying performances by our athletes at this meet, I couldn't be prouder of them. All CIU athletes should be proud of how they represented CIU and the Lord this weekend."
Up Next: CIU stays in Columbia as they compete at the Weems Basken Relays on Mar. 22-23.
