ResultsROME, Ga. – Harold Smith and Josiah Brooks earned first place finishes to lead the Lee University men's track and field team to 13 top five finishes at the Shorter Invitational Saturday at Barron Stadium. The invitational was a non-team scoring event.
Smith led five Lee runners in the 800 meter run with a new Shorter Invitational and Lee record of 1:52.14. The previous record holder was Lee's Emmanuel Kipchumba at 1:54.18, set on March 28, 2015.
"Our 800 meter runners did a great job today," said Lee head coach Caleb Morgan. "Adam Gullette set the pace perfectly for the men through the first 500 meters. Harold took over after 500 meters and hit the provisional mark and ranking him at No. 8 in Division II this year."
Kipchumba was second with a time of 1:53.48 and Terris Elliott crossed the finish line at 1:53.74 (fourth). Kipchumba and Elliott both ran personal bests and their times rank them No. 14 and No. 18, respectively, in Division II.
Brandon Raleigh was 13
th (1:59.80) and Camden Perez was 14
th (2:01.36). Gullette did not finish.
Brooks was first in the triple jump. His distance of 14.51 meters was just 0.05 meters shy of meeting the NCAA Division II provisional status. He also placed fifth in the 200 meter dash with a mark of 21.94.
"Josiah set a new school record in the triple jump," said Morgan. "He continues to excel each week. If he's not impressing us on the track, he will do it on the field."
Joining Brooks in the 200 meter dash were Justin Brooks, Javon Jones and Stephen Cannon. Justin finished eighth (22.19), Jones was 13
th (22.38) and Cannon was 28
th (23.33). Jones recorded a time of 11.08 seconds (10
th) in the 100 meter dash, while Cannon was 18
th (11.17).
"Our distance squad was very productive in the steeple and 5K, picking up three top five performances in both events," said Morgan.
Perez was second (9:39.52) in the steeplechase, while Seth Eagleson was fourth (9:43.06) and Davis Moore finished fifth (10:16.68).
Garret Flores (15:47.77), Eagleson (15:47.85) and Matt Jenkins (15:54.47) claimed the third, fourth and fifth spots in the 5000 meter run. Colson Hagan was ninth (16:26.10) and Tim Yates crossed the line at 18:02.27 (18
th).
Brooks, Brooks, Cannon and Jones made up the 4x100 meter relay team that placed third with a time of 41.49.
The Flames had two entries in the 4x400 meter relay. The Lee A team of Brooks, Gullette, Kipchumba and Brooks finished second (3:15.12) behind Shorter's A team. The Hawks set a new meet record and established the top time in NCAA Division II with a time of 3:12.43.
"The 4x400 ran a great race. Their time ranks them eighth in Division II. Shorter got a big lead on us early and we couldn't cut it down," added Morgan.
Lee's B team of Elliott, Jones, Brandon Raleigh and Smith finished eighth with a time of 3:26.99.
Raleigh was the lone Lee runner in the 1500 meter race. Raleigh finished the race at 4:05.07 to place eighth.
Christian Smith placed eighth in the shot put with a distance of 12.71 meters. The freshman also placed 15
th (24.19 meters) in the hammer throw. Hunter Goforth was 18
th (31.22 meters) in the javelin throw.
