BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - After a six week pause in competition, the Vikings returned to the track to open up the 2026 portion of their indoor schedule this weekend at the Samford Multi's and Open at the Crossplex in Birmingham, AL. The meet served as the first meet of the season for a large portion of the roster.  While the break from meets and practices revealed some areas of needed improvement, there were more than a fair share of standout performances.

"This meet is always a tale of two meets for us", remarked Coach Syverson. "It is often a challenge to come back from the Christmas break in better shape than we started it.  But overall, we liked what we saw in effort and had a lot of 'almosts' with many of the events.  What we didn't get in new personal bests, we gained in experience which is just as important."

In the Throws, Seniors Avery Jones and Malysha Winston opened up their season with strong marks in the Weight Throw.  Jones, the 2024 SAA defending champion in the event had a near PR of 15.59m which is the farthest throw in the conference thus far. Winston threw a PR herself of 15.15m which is ranked right behind her teammate in 2^nd.  Freshman Bryce Toomer had a double PR on the day starting off in the Men's Weight Throw with a toss of 13.43m just behind Freshman teammate Thomas Green who also PR'd with a throw of 13.53m.  Both Vikings are now ranked #7 and #8 respectively in the SAA. Toomer came back later in the day for a near three foot PR in the Shot Put with a throw of 14.22m. That mark is now ranked #3 in the SAA and is the farthest throw by a Berry Freshman since at least 1981.

In the Jumps, Freshman Laney Ray and Junior Kris Williams were bright spots on the day. Ray finished 7^th overall, and was the top non-D1 vaulter in the Women's Pole Vault with a new collegiate PR of 3.26m. That vault is currently ranked #2 in the SAA after this weekend. Williams, the 2025 SAA Runner-Up in the High Jump started off her season with a 1.50m clearance which is tied for 3^rd in the SAA. The Women's 4x400m Relay Team of Julianne Shirley, Darby Merrit, Laney Ray, and Macy Murdock closed out the meet with a competitive effort of 4:09.70 good for #3 in the SAA so far on the season.

On Thursday, SR Macy Murdock and FR Ayla Husby competed in the Pentathlon with Murdock placing 10^th overall and Husby 17^th in her first time attempting the event. Murdock score in the event is currently ranked #2 in the South Region in the event. JR Ryan Barch, competing in his first indoor heptathlon, finished 10^th overall. 

Next up for the Vikings is a trip to SAA conference rival, Centre, for a meet in Danville, KY on Saturday January 24^th.