Eagles Claim Titles, All-AAC Selections and National Bids at Conference Meet
Photos Courtesy of Celeste Diaz
WINSTON SALEM, N.C. – (Results) Reinhardt track and field wrapped up the indoor season with a strong finish from both the men and women in the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) Championship on Friday in North Carolina.
The Eagle men accumulated 106 points for a third-place finish, while the on the women's side, the hometown team was 12th with four tallies.
"Positive outcome for both our groups today as we saw some really quality marks, and end the indoor season on a really high note from a competitive standpoint," head coach Jordan Turner said. "For our men, this is the highest team finish we've ever had at indoor conference, so to be able to back that strong performance at outdoor conference in two months is very possible for this group. The last two years at this meet, we've had a combined 10 All-Conference team members (top three finishers in an event) come from this meet. Today, we are coming home with 11 total, which is a very big jump for this group. We also had the most individual scorers (15) than we have ever had at this meet, so hoping that increases for outdoor conference; but a very positive sign. We've got a lot to work on from a composure and maturity standpoint in big meets, but we are close.
"Johnny had one the of the most memorable performances in a long time by coming through in the clutch with his sixth throw in weight throw to punch his ticket to indoor nationals in two weeks. The emotions from having his fourth throw land ¼" short of a qualifying mark to then throwing over three-and-a-half feet past that national mark is incredible. No one worked harder for a national mark than him."
Conference Champions
Jonathan Paolozzi – Weight Throw – 17.37m (57'0") – meet record by almost eight feet – currently 14th-best throw in the NAIA.
ZayQuan Graham – Long Jump – 7.10 (23' 3.5") – meet record and currently 14th-best jump in the NAIA.
Additional All-Conference Award Winners
Otis Odom – 60m – 3rd Place
Austin Woods – Pole Vault – 2nd Place
Alex Majeed – Shot Put – 2nd Place
Brody Dorfman – Shot Put – 3rd Place
Carson Ivester – Weight Throw – 2nd Place
Brian Vincent Jr. – 4x800m Relay – 3rd Place
Braden Ray – 4x800m Relay – 3rd Place
Robert Jordan – 4x800m Relay – 3rd Place
Brody Blalock – 4x800m Relay – 3rd Place
"Proud of what our women were able to do with a limited squad," Turner said. "Eight of the 10 events these ladies competed in this week were personal-best performances… That's what it's about in championship meets. Javen, Madison, Carly and Caprice all really competed well and battled in their events. I'm thankful for their willingness to work hard in their individual events despite the team results not always reflecting a high finish."
School Records
800m – Brian Vincent Jr. – 2:00.87
4x800m Relay – Brian Vincent Jr., Braden Ray, Robert Jordan & Brody Blalock – 8:25.82
Long Jump – ZayQuan Graham – 7.10m (23' 3.5")
Weight Throw – Jonathan Paolozzi – 17.37m (57')
60m – Javen Wimberly – 8.28
200m – Javen Wimberly – 27.96
800m – Caprice Konitshek – 2:37.87
3000m – Carly Harrison – 12:13.37
5000m – Carly Harrison – 21:25.04
High Jump – Javen Wimberly – 1.40m (4' 7")
Pole Vault – Madison Obarsky – 2.52m (8' 3.25")
We will be taking our largest contingent ever to Indoor Track & Field Nationals in two weeks in Brookings, South Dakota, so I'm excited to have the indoor season continue for this group," Turner added.
The event takes place March 5-7.
Nationals Qualifiers
Otis Odom – 60m (6.85 is current No. 12 in NAIA)
ZayQuan Graham – Long Jump (7.10m is current No. 14 in NAIA)
Tristian Weddington – Long Jump (7.05m is current No. 19 in NAIA)
Jonathan Paolozzi – Weight Throw (17.37m is current No. 14 in NAIA)
Carson Ivester – Weight Throw (16.29m is current No. 30 in NAIA)
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For more information on Reinhardt Men's Indoor Track & Field, please click here, and Women's Indoor Track & Field here.