Clemson, SC – Battling NCAA Division I opponents, Patriots men's track and field continued their hot streak at the Orange & Purple Elite meet, hosted by Clemson on Saturday.
 
On the track, Simeon Coleman charted an NAIA A-standard in the 400 meters, qualifying for the national meet in a second race having already scored a B-standard in the 600 meters in December. As the second collegiate athlete to cross the finish, the sophomore recorded 48.31 seconds in the two-lap affair. The time charts a career best for Coleman, fastest among all of his indoor and outdoor times recorded as a Patriot. He also became the number-one runner in the country on conversion.
 
Jacob Washburn, noting the first B-cut of his senior season back in December by four centimeters in weight throw, further improved upon the figure with a 16.52-meter toss on Saturday. The senior led the field out of the gates with a 15.86-meter mark in his first attempt before being surpassed by South Carolina's Malik Paul. The throw keeps the Alabama man within the top-15 in the NAIA.

Following close behind, Brandon Boyce took third with his day's best toss of 13.95 meters. The measure falls three centimeters short of tying the sophomore's collegiate best. Boyce improved through his first four attempts to reach the mark, starting with a second-place, 11.49-meter throw in his first attempt.
 
The throwing duo went on to place fifth and seventh respectively in shot put. Washburn heaved the weight 12.84 meters to earn a spot in the finals, measuring 13.36 meters with his final throw of the day. Boyce, meanwhile, improved with every throw to land 12.93 meters off the ring on his sixth attempt. With the finish, Washburn noted his fourth podium finish of the year.
 
Desmond Benham and Miguel Reis crossed the finish line behind Coleman in the 400-meter dash. Benham recorded a career-best mark of 50.91 seconds in his second appearance of the season, meanwhile Reis chalked 51.52 seconds in his collegiate debut.

Reis, Benham, Heath Rexhoat and Coleman joined ranks in the 4x400 meter relay, placing fifth overall against NCAA Division I squads. The foursome combined for a time of 3:24.27 in their first appearance of the season, only a couble seconds away from a national cut. Coleman notched the fastest split of the team, pacing around 48 seconds for the second time of the day.
 
Rounding out the running events, Nicolas Grandperrin paced 2:35.54 in the 1,000 meters, roughly 31 seconds a lap. Five places behind, rookie Jarrett Forrest managed a 2:41.29 performance in his first attempt at the mid-distance event.
 
For the second time this season, Dillon Vanover placed fifth in high jump, clearing the 1.90-meter bar in his second attempt. He came close to surpassing 1.95 meters, which would have been a new career best for the young jumper, which currently stands at 1.93.
 
Matthew Chavers impressed again in his second appearance of the season, noting a 6.73-meter launch off the long jump board. Despite not moving into the finals flight, the rookie was able to come away with a 12th-place finish among ACC and SEC opponents.
 
The Patriots track & field teams will next travel to Indianapolis, IN for the Tom Hathaway Distance Classic later this month. UIndy will host the meet on January 24 and 25 at their Athletic Recreational Center beginning at 11 AM on both days.
 
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