Men's Track Finish 4th at FMU Invite

RESULTS

FLORENCE, S.C. - The Columbia College Men's Track and Field team competed at the Div. II Francis Marion University Invitational on Friday in Florence (S.C.) and came away with one title and multiple runner-up finishes during the meet to take 4th place with 92 points, just 3.5 points behind 3rd place CIU. 

Div. II schools FMU and Allen (SC) finished 1st and 2nd in the meet while Claflin (SC) was 5th, UNC-Pembroke 6th and USC-Sumter in 7th.

The men's 4x400 relay "A" team finished first place in a time of 3:26 for 10 team points and featured sophomore Kamron Holman, sophomore Corey Liggins, freshman Jaden Barnette, and freshman Meshach Guadeloupe. The 4x400 "B" relay team then placed 4th in 3:44 and consisted of freshmen distance runners Jusaint Conde, Alex Blake, Chris O'Berry, and DJ McGriff.

In the Distance races, A. Blake led the way placing 2nd in the 1500 meters in a time of 4:24 while freshman Will Parker was 7th of 12 in 4:42 and Jimmy Bates 8th in 4:46 for personal best times. In the 800 meters later Friday, the Koalas were led by J. Conde placing 6th of 12 in 2:10 while freshman Jordon Miller finished 4th of 7 in the 5000 meters in 20:11 for his personal best time.

In the 400 meter Hurdles, Columbia was led by sophomore Jayden Young finishing 2nd in a time of 58.3 seconds for his new personal-best. In the 400 meters, M. Guadeloupe led the Koalas finishing 6th of 17 in 49.9 seconds for a personal best while DJ McGriff-Agers was 8th in 50.5 seconds. K. Holman also finished 11th in 51.2 seconds while junior Willy Calcano was 12th in 52.1 seconds.

In the 200 meter sprint, Columbia was led by sophomore Ashton Pouncie finishing 8th of 25 in 22.1 seconds while Guadeloupe and freshman Tijai Hartwell were virtually tied for 12th in 22.5 seconds. Freshman Jaiden Gray and Holman then tied for 15th in the 200 in 22.7 seconds.

In the 100 meter sprint finals, Columbia was led by A. Pouncie placing 5th in 11.1 seconds while J. Gray was 8th in 11.2 seconds. They each recorded personal-best times. Guadeloupe and Calcano also finished 9th and 10th at 11.29 and 11.3 seconds respectively.

In the field events, Jayden Young finished 4th in the Long Jump with a mark of 6.35 meters (20 ft), barely edging out his teammate, Nevan Gaither who had a jump of 6.33 meters. Both times were season-bests. Gaither then placed 5th out of 10 in the Triple Jump with a mark of 13.46 meters for a personal best.

Junior Jonathan Davis finished runner-up in the Discus Throw with a mark of 40.3 meters (132 ft) while fellow junior Guruveer Jhaj was 6th of 16 at 35.8 meters. Sam Ah Ping led the Koalas in the Hammer placing 6th at 35.9 meters (117 ft) while J. Davis was 7th of 11 with a throw of 34.5 meters.

In the Shot Put, freshman Jaden Reed led the way finishing 3rd at 12.67 meters (41.5 ft) while junior Samuelu Ah Ping was 4th out of 15 throwers at 12.34 meters. Davis and Jhaj also finished 10th and 11th at 10.3 meters.