ResultsKNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- After three complete days of the Tennessee Relays Presented by Sea Ray, the Lee University Track & Field teams have added seven more athletes to the list of qualifiers to the NCCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships.
The Flames and Lady Flames are scheduled to travel to Sewanee, Tenn., for the Sewanee Invitational on Friday, April 18. It is the last scheduled meet before the NCCAA National Championships (May 1-3).
Ashley Matthews started the weekend on a high note for Lee with a third place performance in the 10000 meter run Thursday evening. Matthews' time of 38:13.96 set a new Lee record and marked the fastest time in the NCCAA this season. She beat her personal record, which she had set when she won the SSAC championship last year, by a minute and 10 seconds.
"This race was a huge breakthrough for Ashley," said Lee head coach Caleb Morgan. "I cannot think of a more deserving athlete on our team, who has been more consistent or worked harder."
Emily Bryan and Brianna Prugh posted qualifying times in the 800 meter run. Bryan placed 41st (2:23.22) and Prugh crossed the finish line at 2:23.89 (43rd). The standard to meet was 2:25.00.
Jessica Childers was 45th (2:25.29), Storyie Miller placed 48th (2:27.67) and Emily Arnesen was 51st (2:32.29).
Justin Knuth surpassed the standard (1:59.15) in the 800 meter run with a time of 1:58.19 (27th). Adam Gullette finished 3oth at 1:58.95. Gullette had already qualified earlier in the season.
Patrick Shultz and Camden Perez added two more qualifiers for in the 5000 meter run. Shultz ran the 5000 meter in 15:45.60 (34th) and Perez ticked off a time of 15:47.69 (36th). The time to meet was 15:50. Joseph Crook finished with a time of 16:16.42 (38th).
Mike Walker had to wait until Saturday to get his opportunity to run in the 3000 meter steeplechase. Walker posted his second-best time (9:21.56) and earned a fifth-place finish in the race. His time was third-fastest in the NCCAA this season.
"Mike ran a great race," said Morgan. "He started toward the back of the field and moved up gradually. This was his first steeplechase in a year. We have a few things to work on in the three weeks before nationals, but overall it was a good showing."
Seth Ruhling met the qualifying time of 34:15 in the 10000 meter run for the second time in three meets. Ruhling finished 13th with a time of 33:18.36.
Keenen Hindes placed 36th in the 1500 meter run at 4:10.81. Terris Elliott was 38th (4:12.95) and Blake Smith was 40th (4:19.56).
In the sprint events, Hollie German recorded a time of 13.72 in the 100 meter dash (47th). Mark Cisco tallied a 40th-place finish with a time of 11.37, just 0.07 shy of the qualifying time.
Kayla Gash was the only Lee contender in the field events for the first two days. She recorded a throw of 34.14 (11th) in the discus.
