DURHAM, NC (May 5, 2023) – The Claflin University men’s and women’s track & field teams had some solid performances on day one of the 2023 Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Men’s and Women’s Track & Field Championship Meet. While the Panthers were able to the get some early points at the meet, the Lady Panthers set themselves up for a strong finish tomorrow.
The Panthers set the tone for the day with some great showings both in field events and on the track. The team totaled 30.5 five first day points to place three points behind Saint Augustine’s and 26.5 points behind first place Virginia State (57). Claflin sophomore Jocolbi Morgan led the way when he placed second in the men’s long jump. He recorded a 7.28m jump in the event. He also placed fourth in the men’s high jump with a 1.94m leap. Senior Matthew Rox placed fifth in the men’s pole vault with a 2.95m vault. On the track, freshman Jakarriez Sanders continued his great freshman season when he placed third in the men’s 1500m run with a 4:08.28. Fellow freshman Reginald Gore placed fifth with a 4:11.74.
In addition to getting some early points, the Panthers set themselves up for some great efforts on day two of the championship meet. It was the Claflin freshmen who set the tone on the track. Gore led the preliminary round of the men’s 800m run with a 1:56.89. Fellow freshman Jaevon Riley led the prelims of the men’s 400m with a 48.36. Freshman sprinter Jonathan Flemister placed second in the prelims of the men’s 200m dash with a 21.60.
While the Panthers gained some early points, the Lady Panthers’ focus went to gearing up for tomorrow. Sophomore sprinter Zoe Adams led the way as she posted the top prelim time in the women’s 400m dash with a 55.18 as well as the top time in the women’s 200m dash prelims at 24.55. Freshman Pheijana Burnside qualified for the finals of the women’s 100m hurdles after placing eighth in the prelims with a 15.31. She also qualified for the women’s 400m hurdles with a 1:07.48 to place fifth in the prelims.
Both teams will return to action, tomorrow when they close out the 2023 CIAA Men’s and Women’s Track & Field Championship Meet. For more information on Lady Panthers and Panthers track & field, contact the Claflin University Office of Athletics Media Relations at (803) 535-5548 or log on to www.athletics.claflin.edu.