RALEIGH, N.C. – The University of the Cumberlands men's track & field team competed across three meets Friday, highlighted by record-breaking performances, national standards, and strong showings in multiple events. The Patriots split competition between the Raleigh Relays, the Marian Knight Open, and the Emory Thrills in the Hills meet.

Raleigh Relays

Cumberlands delivered a historic performance in the 400 meters as Tavon Davis broke his own school record with a time of 45.75 to place first overall at the Raleigh Relays. Coming off being named NAIA Track Athlete of the Week, Davis became the first Patriot in program history to break the 46-second mark outdoors while also hitting the NAIA A standard.
 
Roy Miller followed with a time of 47.96, while Zion Pruitt recorded a personal-best 48.89. Noah Kincade added a personal-best 48.94 and Hugo Massa clocked a 50.97.
 
In the 100 meters, Willy Mabena led the Patriots with a time of 10.40, hitting the NAIA B standard. Jermaine Thompson posted a time of 10.55, while Aarontae Wesley ran 10.58 and Jordan Afolayan finished in 10.93.

Marian Knight Open

The Patriots dominated the 5000-meter race walk, sweeping the top spots and all hitting the NAIA A standard.
 
Cole Bennett led the way with a school-record performance of 21:17.91 to win the event. Lucien Beardsley followed closely behind in second with a time of 21:18.01. Both times rank first and second in the NAIA this season.
 
Tomas Mencel added a time of 21:33.46, while Dillan Melchiore finished in 21:56.84 to round out the Patriot performances with top-five times in the NAIA.

Emory Thrills in the Hills

In the decathlon, Seth Massie captured the title with 6,268 points, a mark that currently ranks second in the NAIA this season.
 
Massie's performance included marks of 10.98 in the 100m, 6.68m in the long jump, 11.08m in the shot put, 1.89m in the high jump, 53.32 in the 400m, 16.33 in the 110m hurdles, 32.79m in the discus, 3.65m in the pole vault, 46.09m in the javelin, and 5:16.05 in the 1500m.
 
Jelle Golbach also competed in the decathlon, totaling 5,666 points. He recorded marks of 11.37 in the 100m, 6.52m in the long jump, 12.18m in the shot put, 1.89m in the high jump, 53.20 in the 400m, 16.21 in the 110m hurdles, 34.95m in the discus, 3.45m in the pole vault, and 40.39m in the javelin.
 
The Patriots will return for the final day of the Raleigh Relays tomorrow, and will also be competing at the Blue Raider Rumble at Lindsey Wilson.
 
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