DURHAM, NC (May 8, 2023) – The Claflin University men’s track & field team had a terrific weekend at the 2023 Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Men’s Track & Field Championship Meet. The meet featured some great individual performances from the Panthers and when all was said and done, the team totaled 107.5 points to place third in the championship meet.
“The team did great. They competed hard and we had some outstanding performances,” said Claflin track & field head coach Garon Jackson. “We have a very young team and everyone will come back next year hungry for a title.”
The Panthers did their best work on the track where the team stood out in numerous events. The team swept first, second, and third place in the men’s 800m run with sophomore Zion Murry taking first place with a 1:53.18 , freshman Reginald Gore placing second in 1:55.49 and freshman Jakarriez Sanders placing third with a 1:55.67. The Panthers also took first place in the men’s 4x400m relay with an NCAA Division II Provisional qualifying time of 3:11.20.
Though the track events took the headlines, the Panthers also had some great performances in field events. Claflin sophomore Jocolbi Morgan led the way when he placed second in the men’s long jump with an NCAA Division II provisional qualifying 23’10.75″ (7.28m) jump. Senior Matthew Rox placed third in the men’s javelin with a 144’10” (44.15m) throw.
“My focus as a head coach is to put my program in the top three because that gives us the opportunity to compete for a championship,” Jackson added. “The 800m group and the 400m group carried the load and now we must refocus and start thinking about nationals.”
Select members of the Panthers will return to action next weekend when the team competes in the Lee University Last Chance Meet. For more information on Panthers track & field, contact the Claflin University Office of Athletics Media Relations at (803) 535-5548 or log on to www.athletics.claflin.edu