LOUISVILLE, KY – UC's men opened competition in the new year at the Rod McCravy Memorial on Friday with a pair of NAIA B standards and several strong performances across the sprints, hurdles, middle distance, and field events while competing against one of the strongest fields of the indoor season.
 
The top sprint performance of the day came from Lebron Williams in the 60-meter dash. Williams ran 6.85 in the preliminary round to advance before stopping the clock at 6.79 in the semifinals to secure the NAIA B standard and place among the top sprinters in the meet.
 
UC added its second national qualifier in the 600 meters behind Hugo Massa, who ran 1:20.07 to place seventh overall and clear the NAIA B standard. Roy Miller followed with a time of 1:21.34, while Jackson Lowe rounded out the event for the Patriots with a time of 1:25.41.
 
The Patriots placed six athletes in the 60-meter prelims earlier in the day. Williams' 6.85 led the group, followed by Jordan Afolayan at 6.85 and Aarontae Wesley at 6.87. Jermaine Thompson crossed the line in 6.98, while Seth Massie ran 7.14 and Tanner Tumey finished in 7.21.
 
Wesley returned in the semifinals and posted a time of 6.91, while Afolayan competed in the semifinal round as well.
 
UC advanced three athletes through the rounds of the 60-meter hurdles. In the preliminary heats, Tanner Tumey ran 8.49, Zion Pruitt finished in 8.60, and Jelle Golbach crossed in 8.64. In the semifinals, Tumey led the group with an 8.41 effort, followed by Pruitt at 8.55 and Golbach at 8.92.
 
The Patriots continued sprint action in the 200 meters, where Noah Kincade led UC with a time of 21.91. Wesley followed with a 22.41 finish.
 
In the 1000 meters, Caden Cull paced the Patriots by placing fifth with a time of 2:31.32. Nathan Wagner followed with a time of 2:44.19.
 
The field events produced multiple solid efforts for UC. In the long jump, Seth Massie recorded a mark of 7.09 meters to place seventh overall. Nathan Goodin followed with a jump of 6.64 meters, while Jelle Golbach and Sincere Irvin added marks of 6.42 meters and 6.32 meters, respectively.
 
The throws group closed out day one with Byron Collier competing in the weight throw and posting a mark of 10.80 meters.
 
The Patriots will return to action tomorrow as competition continues at the Rod McCravy Memorial. To follow along with the live results click here.
 
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