Indoor Track posts national No. 1 times and school records in men’s and women’s DMR

LEXINGTON, Va. (January 27, 2023) – The Milligan University indoor track & field teams recorded a pair of team records and national No. 1 times in the distance medley relay on the first day of the VMI Winter Classic on Friday evening. In addition to the top marks, Milligan logged several national standards, personal bests and Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) qualifying marks.

"A really good start to the weekend," said head coach Chis Layne. "Our throws group continues to take steps in the weight and I think we're seeing a lot of consistency from our track folks. It was important to knock out a few more distance marks for AACs and nationals and you just can't say enough about both of our DMR's tonight."

The Buffs' men's DMR unit of Will Stockley, Ja'Quan Williams, Sylas Chambers and Bryn Woodall hit the NAIA "A" standard, took the meet title, the top time nationally this spring and improved upon the program record by nearly a second with a time of 10:02.94.

In the women's DMR Milligan's grouping of Caitlin Dominy, Megan Christian, Ellen Mary Kearney and Alyssa Bearzi went nearly nine seconds faster than the previous school record, hit the NAIA "A" standard and posted the national No. 1 time in 11:57.88.

Aaron Jones dropped down to the 1k distance for the first time in his collegiate career and notched a national standard and runner-up finish in 2:29.35. Mikel Valladares finished seventh in the 1k with a personal best time of 2:34.39.

The Buffs' ran the AAC's top time in the 4x800 meter relay as Kara McDaniel, Gracie Allen, Kaelyn Slaughter and Sophia Jefferson finished second in 9:46.13.

Dawson Reed notched a national qualifying time in the 5k with a 14:58.37 in his indoor event debut with the Buffs. Evan Henson finished eighth in 15:32.38.

Patricia Barrera was the runner-up in the 1k with an event debut time of 3:13.15. Ali Burns was third with a PB (3:16.82) and Anna Jones was sixth in 3:22.81.

Keith Fletcher advanced through the 60 meter hurdle prelims and placed 11th in the semifinals by matching a personal best time of 8.44 for the third time in the last two meets.

Halie Hawkins matched her season best in the pole vault at 3.21 meters to finish seventh.

Kade Hoilman recorded a lifetime best in the weight throw at 12.97 meters. Joy Reks (12.01 meters) and Kacey Webb (11.56 meters) notched PBs in the weight throw.

The Buffs wrap up at the VMI Winter Classic tomorrow.