Woodall and Kearney set meet records at COROS Collegiate Challenge

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (January 22, 2023) – The Milligan University indoor track & field team return to the JDL Fast Track for the COROS Collegiate Challenge on Sunday. The Buffs continued to gear up the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) in three weeks.

"Another really strong weekend for us," said head coach Chris Layne. "Everyone steps out there with a little different agenda - they might be ready to go after a national mark or it could be the first race coming off illness, but the important thing is they're embracing the opportunity."

Bryn Woodall continued a standout campaign as he set the meet record in the men's 1k with an NAIA "A" standard 2:28.60. Woodall's converted time of 2:26.58 ranks No. 1 in the NAIA this winter. Mikel Valladares finished third in 2:36.65, the fifth-fastest time in the event in the AAC this season.

In the women's 1k, Ellen Mary Kearney took first place with an NAIA "A" standard and set the meet record with a time of 2:58.94. Her converted time of 2:57.01 ranks sixth nationally this winter. Kara McDaniel (3:16.34), Sophia Jeffers (3:16.56), Rachel Dulaney (3:20.20) and Isabelle Johnson (3:22.50) all recorded AAC marks.

"Ellen Mary is coming off a minor injury and she probably over-achieved today," said Layne. "Just a really smart race, and Bryn just continues to show his range - excited to see both of them build on the season."

Keith Fletcher posted a personal best time of 8.44 in 60 meter hurdles, the top time in the AAC this season.

Skylan Stephens won the seeded men's 400 with a season-best time of 50.98. His converted mark of 50.18 ranks second in the AAC. Aaron Vaughn ran 52.31, the fourth-fastest 400 time in the conference.

Megan Christian ran to a third-place finish in the women's 600 in 1:42.41. Her converted time ranks as a second-fastest mark in the AAC this season.

Woodall, Valladares, Vaughn and Samir Koko ran to a first-place finish in the men's 4x800 relay, edging the University of the Cumberlands in 8:06.48. The Buffs' converted time ranks as the top 4x800 unit in the AAC this season.

Thomas Johnson logged the No. 5 800 in the AAC this season (2:02.80) and Hayden Charles joined as an AAC qualifier (2:08.76).

In the women's 3k, Ashlyn Haas made her collegiate indoor track debut with an AAC-qualifying time of 11:20.59. Annie Kate McDermott logged a personal best and AAC qualifying mark of 11:36.52.

Dillon Craig ran 8:57.70, a personal best, to finish seventh in the men's 3k. Mitchell McCown joined Craig with an AAC qualifying mark and PB (9:19.57).

Kaelyn Slaughter (5:33.03), Haas (5:42.84), Anna Jones (5:44.30) and Gracie Pendleton (5:51.60) all ran PBs and were AAC qualifiers in the mile.

Friday Night

Milligan also sent a contingent to the App State Split Indoor Meet on Friday evening.

Halie Hawkins set a season best and AAC conference best in the pole vault by clearing 3.21 meters.

Autumn Stanley notched a personal best of 4.71 meters in the long jump.

Corey Greeson (13.78 meters) and Kade Hoilman (12.52 meters) both notched PBs in the weight throw. Konnor Kilgore notched a personal best of 9.33 meters in the shot put.

"Really proud of our throws group at App State and then group in Winston-Salem took another step almost without fail," said Layne.

The Buffs head to VMI next weekend for the Winter Classic.