Eagles Continue to Make Strides at Emory CrossPlex Showdown
Photo Courtesy of Celeste Diaz
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – (Results) Reinhardt track and field got back into competition on Sunday as both the men's and women's teams lined up against a strong field in the Emory CrossPlex Showdown in Alabama.
The men were able to finish strong and earn a third-place spot out of 14 squads, while the women finished in 16th.
"Great day for our programs again as we are getting our season started off in a better position than we ever have in terms of fitness and competitive nature," head coach Jordan Turner said. "The men's side had its highest finish as a team (3rd) in this very competitive meet that routinely hosts top NCAA Division II and DIII teams. We had 12 individual scorers and many others that were really close, so that's an encouraging sign for team depth moving forward. To knock off 11 more AAC qualifying standards and an NAIA national mark is a good day for our first meet this spring.
"Otis ran extremely well in his first meet and should be really happy to hit a national mark in his first meet with us. His start is incredible, and as he learns to finish the race, he will be a serious contender at indoor nationals. The throws and jumps groups continue to improve and had good days from Johnny (PR in Weight) and ZayQuan (PR and school-record in Long Jump). Braden had a fantastic day in the 5K and 3K, as it was the fastest one-day double our distance group has ever seen, so that's encouraging for where he is right now."
Otis Odom – in his first-career race – set a Reinhardt record in the 60-meter dash with a 'B' standard second-place finish in the event with a time of 6.93. His time is No. 12 in the NAIA, and Odom was defeated by the 2015 NAIA national champion in the dash.
ZayQuan Graham was second overall in the long jump at the Showdown. His leap – 6.89 meters – is the farthest in the Appalachian Athletic Conference so far this year, and No. 20 in the nation.
School Records
60m – Otis Odom – 6.89
Long Jump – ZayQuan Graham – 6.89m (22' 7.25")
Pole Vault – Austin Woods – 4.40m (14' 5.25")
On the women's side, Javen Wimberly took home seventh-place with a triple-jump of 10.02 meters for a pair of points for the Eagles.
"Javen was a standout for our women's team as she battled back from some setbacks early in the meet to hit a nice school record in the triple jump," Turner said. "She will have a good chance at the national mark this year with more training weeks under her."
School Records
400m – Caprice Konitshek – 1:08.59
Triple Jump – Javen Wimberly – 10.02m (32' 10.5")
Next up on the schedule is the Tiger Indoor Invitational on Feb. 1.
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For more information on Reinhardt Men's Indoor Track & Field, please click here, and Women's Indoor Track & Field here.