Fort Wayne, IN – Patriots men's indoor track & field continued to roll in the early season. Three Patriots stood above the rest, each boasting an NAIA standard to open their respective seasons at the Indiana Tech Invite.
 
Matthew Chavers began his Patriots career with an elite-level performance in long jump. The rookie surpassed his previous career best, posting 7.17 meters off the board. Chavers notched the first NAIA A-cut of the indoor season as well as the Patriots best mark in the event since 2015.
 
Chavers went on to clock 7.04 seconds in the 60-meter dash, placing seventh in the semifinals. He also placed eighth in the 200 meters with a time of 22.82 seconds, just shy standards in both events.
 
Second-year man Simeon Coleman topped the Patriots running performances, garnering two top-four placements. Coleman won the 600 meters outright, beating out his opponent by less than a second. In the long sprint, the sophomore clocked 1:21.96 for the NAIA B-standard.
 
Coleman also placed fourth in the 400-meter dash later in the afternoon, leading two other Patriots into the finish. He notched 49.74 seconds around the two-lap race, a half second away on conversion from posting his second B-cut of the day.
 
Desmond Benham and Devin Bowling followed their fellow Patriot into the finish, clocking 51.53 and 56.26 respectively to open their Cumberlands careers.
 
Back at the field events, Jacob Washburn kicked off his senior season with a national qualification in weight throw, as well as a new career best. The outdoor all-American placed third overall with the 16.29-meter, B-standard throw. Of three more Patriots in the event, Brandon Boyce followed the veteran thrower into the top-eight with his 13.98-meter mark.
 
In shot put, Washburn and Boyce once again led the Patriots seven-man pack with top-eight finishes. Washburn after tossing a hefty 13.67 meters for his best season-opening mark over his four-year career. Boyce registered 13.15 meters for a 1.60-meter improvement in indoor shot put to begin his sophomore campaign.
 
Coming off a decent freshman campaign, Dillon Vanover charted his first podium finish of the season, placing eighth overall in high jump. Flying over the 1.93-meter bar, the Whitley City, KY native notched himself a new career best.
 
Following his long jump debut, rookie Powell followed behind Vanover in high jump after clearing 1.83 meters. Powell went on to post a distance of 11.74 meters in triple jump.
 
McGwire Wilson and Zach Pennington rounded out the day in distance events. Wilson placed 14th in the 3,000 meters, clocking 10:44.77 across the finish line. In the 800 meters, Pennington also placed 14th with his time of 2:29.66.
 
Cumberlands indoor track & field resumes action after the new year.
 
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