Woodall sets outdoor 5k record as Outdoor Track & Field shines in spring debut

COLUMBIA, S.C. (March 18, 2022) – The Milligan University outdoor track & field teams opened their spring campaign with seven national-qualifying times in the 5k and a new school record at the CIU Invitational on Friday night.

"Not sure this group could've opened the outdoor season any better than they did today," said head coach Chris Layne. "Kade had a big breakthrough in the hammer and both 5k squads were lights out - so good to see them knock out so many national marks this early"

The Buffs had a standout day in the men's 5k as each runner recorded a personal best on the evening. Milligan had the top four finishes as each ran an NAIA "A" standard and bested the previous school record of 14:30.60 set by Nathan Baker last year. Bryn Woodall set Milligan's new 5k standard with a time of 14:17.65. Aaron Jones finished second in 14:24.46, Will Stockley was third in 14:27.93 and Eli Cramer took fourth in 14:30.46. Each of Milligan's top four finishes posted a top-10 nationally so far this season.

Zimri Kuhn and Alex Brittain also recorded top-eight finishes as Kuhn was sixth in 15:16.83 and Brittain finished seventh in 15:18.49.

In the women's 5k, Avery DeWolf Burton and Alyssa Bearzi notched NAIA "A" standards. Burton ran 17:21.00 to finish first among collegiate runners and Bearzi cross the finish line next in 17:27.40. Caitlin Dominy also recorded a national qualifying time of 17:45.70. Ali Burns was fifth in 18:33.70 and Natalie Fellers finished sixth in 19:40.80. Dominy, Burns and Fellers all ran PBs in the season opener.

Kade Hoilman placed fourth in the hammer throw with a lifetime best mark of 39.22 meters. Corey Greeson finished ninth in his collegiate event debut at 27.93 meters. In the women's hammer, Joy Reks (30.76 meters) and Iliana Martinez (27.50 meters) both logged top-20 finishes in their event debuts. Martinez added another top-20 mark in the javelin (17.63 meters)

Milligan continues its outdoor opener with day two of the CIU Invitational tomorrow.