Outdoor Track & Field closes opening weekend at NC State and Montreat

RALEIGH, N.C. (March 25, 2023) – The Milligan University outdoor track & field teams had there student-athletes competing at the Raleigh Relays with a larger contingent participating at the Montreat College Open on Saturday.

"With our openers being delayed, It was important to get a lot of work done as it relates to important reps, conference marks and then setting things up for the rest of the season," said head coach Chris Layne. "I think we did that. It was encouraging to see some of our throws crew start off like they did and then we're seeing some of our younger folks start to settle in and make moves."

In Raleigh, Ellen Mary Kearney notched her second NAIA "A" standard of the Raleigh Relays as she recorded a time of 2:11.74 in the 800. Her time is the fastest in the NAIA this spring.

Will Stockley and Sylas Chambers both recorded top-10 times in the NAIA in the 800 this season. Chambers ran 1:54.02 and Stockley finished in 1:54.03.

Montreat

Aaron Vaughn finished fourth of 35 competitors in the 400 with a collegiate best time of 50.08. Megan Christian crossed fourth in the women's 400 in 1:01.08. Christian added a ninth-place showing with a personal best time in the 200 with a mark of 26.83.

Gracie Allen and Rebecca Glover both posted top-eight finishes in the 800. Allen crossed sixth in 2:20.42 and Glover was eighth in 2:21.35, a personal record.

In the men's 800, Arran Kearney placed ninth (1:59.53), Jack Crow was 16th (2:01.99) and Pablo Rivas finished 20th (2:03.82) in a field of 50 student-athletes.

In a field of 60 runners, Kamdyn Lee was 19th (23.12) and Evan Hayes finished 20th (23.13) in the 200. Conner Goodrich ran a personal best time of 11.58 in the 100-meter dash.

The Buffs finished third in the 4x800 meter relay as Ethan Lillycrop, Josh Osorio, Carter Windham and Mikel Valladares clocked in at 8:28.15.

Joel Duzan finished fourth in the javelin throw with a top mark of 47.00 meters. Corey Greeson followed in seventh in the javelin in 43.40 meters.

Autumn Stanley hit the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) standard in the triple jump with a mark of 9.77 meters. Carson Conatser (1.84 meters) and Conner Mowell (1.79 meters) both cleared the AAC standard in the high jump. Kacey Webb was a conference qualifier in the hammer throw (33.69 meters).

Milligan track & field is idle next weekend before heading to the Flames Invitational at Lee University on April 7-8.