#OspreyTF Opens Atlantic Sun Championships with Strong Performances

Saturday, February 28

Winston-Salem, N.C.

All Day

University of North Florida

Atlantic Sun Championship

#OspreyTF Opens Atlantic Sun Championships with Strong Performances

2/28/2015 10:29:00 PM | Men's Track, Women's Track

By: North Florida Athletics

Meet Results/Live Results

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Four event titles – including a new Atlantic Sun Championship pole vault record – highlighted the first day of the Atlantic Sun Indoor Track and Field Championships for University of North Florida men's and women's track and field teams. The women won the pole vault, 3000 meters and distance medley relay, while the men came in first in the distance medley relay.

"Both the men and the women had a very strong opening day at the Atlantic Sun Championships and that resulted in four victories today," said head coach Jeff Pigg.

In the pole vault, Megan Walker set a new women's championship mark en route to winning the event. Walker cleared 12'6.75" (3.83m), bettering the previous record of 3.82 that was set by former Osprey Lindsey Enders in 2013.

Eden Meyer edged out Lipscomb's Madelin Talbert to win the 3000 meters. Meyer's time of 9:42.14 was just 0.16 of a second faster than Talbert.

The day ended with both teams capturing the distance medley relay crowns. The women's distance medley relay team had a winning time of 12:05.71, nearly five seconds faster than second-place Kennesaw State. The men dominated their race, coming in at 10:13.70 and nine seconds ahead of second-place Northern Kentucky.

Also on the men's side, Bobby Harris claimed second place in the high jump. Harris cleared 6'9" (2.06m). In the 60-meter dash prelims, Jacoby Hadden and Josh Tracey both advanced to Sunday's finals. Hadden clocked the fastest time in the first heat and the second-fastest overall in the prelims, running 6.89 seconds. Tracey qualified for the last spot in the eight-person finals, clocking a 7.14 in the prelims.

After six events scored on Saturday, the women are currently in third place in the team standings with 36 points. In addition to their three event champions, UNF also got points from Elle Baker (fifth place, 3000 meters – 10:03.80) and Jenna Meyers-Sinnett (seventh place, pole vault – 10'7"/3.23m).

The men are in fourth place after five events scored, totaling 25 points. In addition to the distance medley relay team and Harris, UNF also got points from Caleb Collins (fourth place, long jump – 22'3"/6.78m), Michael Damato (fifth place, 3000 meters – 8:26.93) and Brad Tort (sixth place, 3000 meters – 8:36.83).

The Atlantic Sun Indoor Track and Field Championships conclude on Sunday. The day is scheduled to begin at 8:30 a.m.

Men's Results
Long Jump
4. Caleb Collins (22'3.00"/6.78m)

High Jump
2. Bobby Harris (6'9.00"/2.06m)

3000 Meters
5. Michael Damato (8:26.93)
6. Brad Hort (8:36.83)
10. Justin Bryan (8:48.56)
11. Jacob Fuller (8:52.95)
14. Tyler Bennett (8:58.63)

60 Meter Dash Prelims
2. Jacoby Hadden (6.89)
8. Josh Tracey (7.14)

Distance Medley Relay
1. North Florida (10:13.70)

Team Standings (5 Events Scored)
1. Kennesaw State – 56 points
2. Northern Kentucky – 37 points
3. Lipscomb – 26 points
4. North Florida – 25 points
5. USC Upstate – 8 points

Women's Results
Pole Vault
1. Megan Walker (12'06.75"/3.83m) ** Atlantic Sun Championship Record
7. Jenna Meyers-Sinnett (10'7.00"/3.23m)

3000 Meters
1. Eden Meyer (9:42.14)
5. Elle Baker (10:03.80)

60 Meter Dash Prelims
10. Vernetia Irving (7.81)

Distance Medley Relay
1. North Florida (12:05.71)

Team Standings (6 Events Scored)
1. Kennesaw State – 65.50 points
2. Jacksonville – 52 points
3. North Florida – 36 points
4. USC Upstate – 31 points
5. Lipscomb – 30.50 points
6. Northern Kentucky – 16 points