Indoor Track opens 2023 at JDL’s Mondo Collegiate Invite

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (January 14, 2023) – The Milligan University indoor track & field team began the 2023 portion of its schedule at the Mondo Collegiate Invitational at the JDL Fast Track on Saturday. The Buffs notched several national standards, including one national No. 1 time.

"We definitely saw a mixed-bag today," said head coach Chris Layne. "But that's to be expected this early in the season and it's why we start when we do. Most importantly, I thought everyone competed and that's what we're looking for moving forward."

In the women's 1k, Caitlin Dominy ran the No. 1 time in the NAIA this season (2:58.45) and hit the NAIA "A" standard before track size conversion. Gracie Allen was the runner-up in 3:05.06.

"Caitlin's hard work definitely showed up in her performance today," said Layne. "I think the same can be said for Alyssa and Will, who both went under the national standard."

Will Stockley won the men's 1k in 2:31.79, a national qualifying time after conversion. Sylas Chambers finished fourth in the 1k (2:37.34) and Pablo Rivas placed ninth (2:42.37).

Alyssa Bearzi won the women's mile and hit the national qualifying standard with a collegiate-best time of 5:09.19.

Aaron Jones won the men's mile in 4:24.10. Zimri Kuhn following in fifth (4:30.89) and Dillon Craig crossed eighth (4:35.14).

Stockley, Rivas, Kuhn and Jones teamed up to win the 4x800-meter relay in 8:12.58. In the women's 4x800 relay, Allen, Kiley Wood, Bearzi and Kaelyn Slaughter finished second in 10:09.14.

Dawson Reed notched a third place showing in his indoor debut in the 3k in 8:49.78. Josh Hale added a top-10 finish in the event with a ninth-place effort in 9:05.25.

Megan Christian recorded a sixth-place finish in the 400-meter dash in 1:03.15.

Skylan Stephens was the Buffs' top performer in the 60-meter dash prelims (7.13) and in the 600 (1:29.55), where he finished eighth overall. Ja'Quan Williams finished ninth in the 400 in 52.51.

Halie Hawkins was sixth in pole vault (3.10 meters), Autumn Stanley was ninth in the triple jump (9.57 meters) and Corey Greeson was 11th in the weight throw with a season-best effort of 12.87 meters. Joy Reks notched Milligan's top women's shot put of the season with a 10.18 meter mark.

"It was also really important to get our technical events these early reps," said Layne. "I think it's even more difficult for them coming off the break. I know Coach O'Neill was encouraged by what he saw today."

The Buffs are slated to return to action twice next weekend at the App State Split Invite on Jan. 20 and the Corocos Collegiate Challenge at the JDL Fast Track on Jan. 22.