GAINESVILLE, Fla. – CIU's indoor track and field teams produced a strong all-around performance Friday at the Visit Gainesville Indoor Classic at the Alachua County Events Center at Celebration Pointe, highlighted by more than 20 personal records, multiple conference and national qualifying marks, and a pair of school records.
Cameron Montgomery led the Rams with a national-level performance in the shot put, qualifying for the NAIA National Championship with a throw of 16.13 meters (52 feet, 11 inches). Montgomery also posted NCCAA and Appalachian Athletic Conference qualifying marks in both throwing events, recording 15.82 meters (51-11) in the weight throw while also meeting AAC and NCCAA standards in the shot put.
James Mayo continued his breakout season by breaking two school records. Mayo clocked 6.88 seconds in the 60 meters and followed with a time of 21.96 in the 200 meters, setting new CIU records in both sprint events.
Denim Jones added an AAC qualifying mark in the 200 meters with a time of 23.44 seconds and also competed in the 400 meters, finishing in 53.12. Mark Zagata posted a time of 53.17 in the 400 meters.
Julian Carranza recorded an AAC qualifying mark in the 600 meters, running 1:27.28.
In the field events, Dallas Turner cleared 1.89 meters (6-2.25) in the high jump, meeting qualifying standards for both the NCCAA and AAC.
Dante Shuler earned AAC and NCCAA qualifying marks in two events, throwing 13.19 meters (43-3.25) in the shot put and posting a best mark of 13.88 meters (45-6.5) in the weight throw. Caius Johns added an AAC qualifying mark in the shot put at 12.35 meters (40-6.25) and recorded 11.39 meters (37-4.5) in the weight throw.
Hunter McCaskill competed in multiple events, running 7.45 in the 60 meters, posting a time of 3:10.11 in the 1,000 meters, and recording a long jump mark of 4.77 meters (15-7.75).
On the women's side, Arion Jefferson recorded multiple qualifying performances, running 27.12 in the 200 meters to earn NCCAA and AAC qualifying times. Jefferson also posted an NCCAA qualifying mark in the 400 meters with a time of 1:03.52 and added a 60-meter time of 8.32.
Zyra Spann competed in both sprint events, running 8.57 in the 60 meters and posting a time of 28.62 in the 200 meters.
Morgan Hartman recorded an AAC qualifying time in the 800 meters, finishing in 2:31.59.
Michaela Oglesby turned in a full slate of performances, recording NCCAA and AAC qualifying times in the 60-meter hurdles at 10.15 seconds. Oglesby also ran 28.21 in the 200 meters, posted a time of 1:06.65 in the 400 meters, and recorded a long jump mark of 4.52 meters (14-10).
The Rams will next travel to Cedarville, Ohio, to compete at the NCCAA Indoor National Championship on Feb. 13 and Feb. 14.
