On Friday April 20th, the University of the Cumberlands Patriots Track and Field Teams traveled to Richmond, Ky. to participate in the Eastern Kentucky Open. The Patriots competed very well and proved that they can compete against tough competition.
Junior Darcy Mascotti (Bellbrook, OH) placed 3rdin the 5000m run with a time of 17:37.96. This time is a new school record and it also qualifies Mascotti for the NAIA Outdoor Track and Field National competition. Senior Lauren Kachel (Pickerington, OH) placed 2ndin the 3000 M steeplechase with a time of 11:41.29.
In the field events, sophomore Janada Acree (Cadiz, KY) came in 2ndin the high jump with a height of 1.55M. Acree also placed 7th in the long jump with a jump of 4.90M. In the pole vault freshman Rachelle Spurlock placed 4thwith a vault of 9.00 ft. In the discus throw senior Lawna Rivera (Sevierville, TN) placed 6thwith a toss of 33.93M; she also placed 8thin the hammer throw with a toss of 38.70M. Senior Rebecca Holcomb (Blanchester, OH) wrapped up the events placing 7thin the shot put with a throw of 11.32 M. The women's team placed 9thout of 17 teams with a total of 21 points.
On the men's side of the competition Aundreas Lopez (Fort Lee, VA) placed 2ndin the 800M run with a time of 1:54.70. Also placing 2ndfor the men was sophomore Aaron Harrison (Courtland, OH) in the 400M hurdles when he ran a 57.87. Also competing in the hurdles was freshman Eric Phillips (New Castle, KY). Phillips ran a 1:03.44 to earn him a 5th place finish.
In the sprinting events freshman Malcolm Dias (Kuwait, Salmiyah)placed 5th in the 100 meter dash with a time of 11:09 while sophomore D'Angelo Jordan (Jacksonville, FL) finished in 8thplace with a time 11.35. Senior Kyle Belcher (Louisville, KY) competed in both the 200 meter dash and finished in 6thplace with a time of 23.08 and the 400 M dash, he finished in 4thwith a time of 50.55.
In the relay events the men's 4x4 meter relay team (Malcolm Dias, Kyle Belcher, Aundreas Lopez, Aaron Harrison) placed 2ndwith a time of 3:25.31. The Patriots also had a "B" team (Ben Rawe (Melbourne, KY), Seth Stoffle (Seymour, TN), Slade Klinksick (Lexington, KY), Courtney Freeman (Riverdale, GA)) compete. The team placed 7thwith a time of 3:41.80. Also in the relay events the men's 4x100M team (D'Angelo Jordan, Malcolm Dias, Kyle Belcher, Aaron Harrison) finished with a time of 43.88.
In the field events senior Corey Chaffin (Pataskala, OH) placed 6th in the shot put with a toss of 13.05 M. Also placing was freshman Christian Brislenn (Franklin, OH) in 8thplace with a toss of 12.75 M. In the hammer throw senior Corey Chaffin broke the school record with a toss of 38.29 M. Chaffin placed 7thin the hammer. The men's team ended the day in 7thplace out of 15 teams with 51 points.
The Patriots will be back in action on April 27thas they will travel to Rome GA to compete in the Mid-South Conference Championship.
For more information on the Patriots track and field teams as well as other Patriot athletics, please visit www.cumberlandspatriots.com.
