Indoor Track & Field adds six national qualifiers on day two of VMI Winter Classic

LEXINGTON, Va. (January 28, 2023) – The Milligan University indoor track & field teams concluded a strong weekend of action at the VMI Winter Challenge on Saturday. The Buffs racked up nine total national qualifying efforts, including five NAIA "A" standards and a pair of national No. 1 marks in the distance medley relays on Friday evening.

"First, this is just a really fun group to be around," said head coach Chris Layne. "They continue to really compete and they also do a great job of supporting each other off the track. Our distance squad really had a presence this weekend and then our throws squad and sprints squad continue to make big gains in both breakthrough performances and in how they maximize the opportunities they're getting. Really like what we're seeing as we inch towards conference and nationals."

Bryn Woodall continued his stellar indoor campaign with another NAIA "A" standard and meet title in the mile. His time of 4:10.37 is a personal best, ranks inside the top three in the NAIA and marks the fourth different event in which he has recorded a national qualifying time this season.

In the mile, Caitlin Dominy hit an NAIA "A" standard in a third event as she finished second overall with a personal best mark of 5:02.44. Alyssa Bearzi hit the national standard in the mile for the second time this season and placed fourth in 5:07.16.

Ellen Mary Kearney added her third NAIA "A" standard in as many events as she won the meet title and posted a top-three national time of 2:13.85 in the 800.

Aaron Jones finished fourth in the mile with a national qualifying time of 4:15.27, a personal best. Mikel Valladares also notched a PB in the mile at 4:29.63.

Arran Kearney ran a national qualifying time in the men's 3k (8:34.45) to finish third. Pablo Rivas followed in 11th in 8:45.46 and Alex Haggard finished 13th (8:50.47). Ali Burns (10:45.36) and Anna Jones (10:55.29) posted personal bests in the women's 3k.

Sylas Chambers won the men's 800 in 1:55.59 with Will Stockley following in third in 1:56.26.

Keith Fletcher notched a PB in the 200 (22.53). Aaron Vaughn recorded a season best in the 400 (51.17)

Joy Reks approached her season best in the shot put at 10.16 meters and Kacey Webb tossed a personal best 9.79 meters.

The Milligan men's 4x400 meter relay unit of Ja'Quan Williams, Vaughn, Jeremy Evans and Evan Hayes broke a 13-year school record with a 3:27.66 mark.

Next weekend the Buffs will send a group back to VMI for the Winter Relays and another contingent will head to the JDL Fast Track for the Camel City Invitational.