COLUMBIA - CIU men's track and field team concluded their weekend meet, performing strongly at the Weems Baskin Invitational hosted by the University of South Carolina on Saturday.
The Rams displayed speed on the track, with Clayton Hammond (51.96) and Denim Jones (55.10) competing in the 400m. Dario Laing secured a notable 6th-place finish in the 400m hurdles, clocking in at 54.49 seconds (NAIA "B" Standard). The middle-distance races saw Malik Beaver lead the way for CIU in the 800m, crossing the finish line in 2:07.71. Spencer Evans (2:09.37) and Julian Carranza (2:21.44) followed closely behind. Landon Batterman put in a solid performance in the 1500m, finishing in 4:49.45, while Joey Canning ran a time of 17:02.85 in the 5000m.
The field events proved to be a strong suit for the Rams. Deandre Leith stole the show in the shot put, launching a throw of 16.11 meters to secure a second-place finish, even besting competitors from NCAA Division I programs. Cameron Montgomery (15.37m) was also impressed with a sixth-place finish, showcasing his strength against the Division I competition. Bryce Scarborough rounded out CIU's representation in the shot put, placing 12th with a distance of 10.94 meters.
Leith continued his strong showing in the discus throw, earning a 7th-place finish with a throw of 50.29 meters (NAIA "A" Standard, 1st in NAIA). Montgomery displayed his versatility in the field, setting a personal record in the hammer throw with a distance of 38.58 meters, good for 21st place (5th in NAIA). Bryce Scarborough (37.02m) and Colton Buchanan (35.65m) also competed in the hammer throw, finishing 22nd and 23rd respectively.
The day wrapped up with an admirable showing by the CIU 4x100 meter relay team, comprised of Jones, Laing, Hammond, and Irvin Sumter. The quartet crossed the finish line in a time of 43.38 seconds (20th fastest time in NAIA).
What Assistant Track & Field Coach John Sparks is saying: "Today was another good day against the toughest competition we have faced since NAIA Indoor nationals. We now have quite a few athletes ranked in the top ten in the latest NCCAA rankings. We are continuing to gain valuable experience for the rest of the season."
Up Next: The Rams stay in South Carolina, traveling to the Newberry Hub-City Invitational in Spartanburg on Apr. 5.
