BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Vikings concluded the indoor regular season portion of their schedule Friday and Saturday at a pair of meets hosted by Samford University at the Crossplex.
Berry competed well across all event areas to gain valuable momentum heading into the inaugural SAA Indoor Championships in two weeks at Centre. The performances were highlighted by a pair of new Berry indoor school records in the Pole Vault.
Men's Highlights:
Alden McDonald placed 3rd in the Men's PV with a new lifetime PR and breaking his own indoor school record by jumping 4.97m (16'3.5"). He was the top non-D1 vaulter in the competition. His performance currently ranks #5 in the nation in all of DIII and improves on what will likely be a NCAA Championships qualifying mark in the event..
Bradshaw Lathbury won the Men's Mile with a new PR of 4:12.86. His time leads the SAA and was the 28th fastest time in the nation as of the conclusion of the meet. It is also the fastest time run by a Viking in the DIII era for Berry. Teammate Grady Coppock finished in 5th with a new lifetime PR of 4:19.41
Jahari Jones finished 3rd overall in the Men's 400m with a time of 48.73. His time of 48.01 run earlier this season is still ranked in the top 15 in the nation and is contention to be a NCAA Championship qualifying time.
On Friday, senior David Billiard placed 6th in the Shot Put behind five D1 throwers. Teammate Dawson Livingston placed 9th with a lifetime PR of 14.02m which is currently ranked #2 in the SAA behind Billiard.
Women's Highlights:
Freshman Ella Pine vaulted to a new lifetime PR of 3.37m in the Pole Vault. Her mark breaks the Berry indoor school record in the event previously held by teammate Madeline Hubbert set last year of 3.21m. Hubbert also PR'd today, vaulting 3.22m. Pine and Hubbert are ranked #2 and #3 respectively going into the SAA Championships.
Sophomore Macy Murdock went 3 for 3 in PR's on the day in the 60H, 400m, and Long Jump. Her 9.59 in the 60 Hurdles is now ranked #2 in the SAA behind teammate Emily Kate Thompson.
The Women Milers had strong races with multiple PR's led by sophomore Anna Ayers and her time of 5:30.63.
Asena Anderson placed 5th in the 3000m with a new lifetime PR of 10:34.06. Her time now leads the SAA in the event, teammate Hastings Gray finished 8th.
Sophomore Avery Jones lead the Viking throwers in the Weight, throwing a new PR of 15.03m (49'3.75"). Her throw is ranked #2 in the SAA.
Freshman Onoyeme Egure placed 10th in the Shot Put with a new collegiate PR of 11.69m (38'4.25"). She was the top non-D1 thrower in the event.
Emily Kate Thompson placed 7th overall in the Long Jump with a season's best 5.25m (17'2.75").
"Today was a good test to see where we are heading into the indoor championship in two weeks.
It was essentially the first meet this season where we had most of the team competing at the same time and many of our distance runners ran their first race of the season today. We had a number of lifetime bests in most of our event groups, especially our distance runners and it was fun to see our two pole vault records improve.
Our team does best when we are competing together and supporting each other. Today gave us reason to have confidence that we are in a position to compete for the top two spots at SAA Indoors in two weeks." says Head Coach Luke Syverson on the day.
Catch the Vikings at the SAA Indoor Championships on February 23-24 in Danville, Kentucky.
