Buffs kick off 2022 campaign with impressive performance at the ETSU Track and Field Invitational

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (January 14, 2022) –  The Milligan University men's and women's track and field teams put on a great showing in the first event of 2022 at the ETSU Track and Field Invitational. Several Buffalo athletes posted personal bests in their respective events along with one "A" standard finish and one NAIA qualifying finish.

"All around this was a really good day from our throws crew to the distance squad," said head coach Chris Layne. "It's early, so to see so many strong performances, PB's and national marks mid-January gives us a good indication of where we can be in another month or two" 

In the women's mile, Caitlin Dominy recorded an NAIA qualifying mark of 5:11.72, a personal best, in a second-place effort. Gracie Allen and Lauren Spry both added PBs on the day in the mile. Allen was third in 5:16.61 and Spry finished 13th in 5:43.84.  

In the men's mile, Will Stockley produced an "A" standard qualifying mark of 4:13.33, cementing a personal best while finishing third overall. Aaron Jones also added a PB with an NAIA qualifying mark of 4:17.92 in a fifth place finish. Three more Buffs finished inside the top ten, including Bryn Woodall (4:20.35) who finished sixth, Jake Crow (4:26.59) who finished eighth and Nathan Baker (4:29.01) who finished ninth. Both Woodall and Crow recorded personal bests.

In the men's 5k, four Buffalo athletes listed personal bests. Finishing in third place, Evan Henson led all Milligan runners with a time of 15:42.42. Thomas Johnson turned in a time of 16:59.55, which placed him 14th overall. Graydon Hull came in just behind Johnosn placing 15th overall registering a time of 17:16.90. Benjamin Mary placed 18th with a time of 17:44.06 and was the final PB for the Buffs in the men's 5k

Joy Reks established a personal record in the weight throw with a heave of 9.89 meters. On the men's side, Corey Greeson (12.33m) and Kade Hoilman (11.64m) tossed big personal bests in the weight throw.   

In the men's 400 meters, Milligan placed two runners inside the top ten. Skylan Stephens finished in sixth place with a PB of 50.72. In eighth place, Sylas Chambers finished with a time of 51.07.

Kiley Wood led the Buffs in the women's 400 meters with a seventh place finish and a time of 62.32. Megan Christian concluded with a time of 62.97, which placed her 12th overall.

Keith Fletcher and Connor Goodrich came away with personal bests in the men's 60 meters. Fletcher logged a time of 7.22 while Goodrich registered a time of 7.57.

Milligan wraps up all events at the ETSU Track and Field Invitational Saturday, January 15th at the ETSU Athletics Center in Johnson City, TN.