On Saturday the EMU track teams participated in the Johnson C. Smith Invitational hosted by that university in Charlotte, NC. The Royals got a great chance to gauge their talent against a wide range of athletes, and had one athlete break an EMU record.
Dan Nafziger (Harrisonburg, VA/Harrisonburg) broke the school record in the 3000m steeplechase, crossing in 9:55.04, just ahead of an Emory runner in a photo finish. Nafziger also edged Lynn Stoltzfus’ EMU mark of 9:55.26 by a fraction of a second.
Thomas Millary (Dillsburg, PA/Homeschool) crossed in 18:16.83 in the 5000m run.
In the shot put, Hilton Morgan (Boyce, VA/Clarke County) was one of the top D-III finishers with a distance of 13.22m (43-04.50ft). Aaron Sloan (Ooltewah, TN/McCallie School) landed at 10.83m (35-06.50ft), a season best for him.
In the discus, Morgan’s best throw was 30.95m (101-06ft).
Deverin Pate (Baltimore, MD/Paul Lawrence Dunbar) had a good showing in the hammer throw, getting a throw of 32.57m (106-10ft).
Sloan landed at 39.72m (130-04ft) in the javelin.
On the women’s side, Sophia Holmes (Berryville, VA/Clarke County) crossed in 2:27.86 in the 800m run and Hannah Patterson (Puyallup, WA/Mountainview International) timed at 2:43.85.
Lanae Kreider (Harrisonburg, VA/Broadway) tried the 3000m steeplechase and had a solid finish in 12:56.91. She also stepped into third on EMU’s all-time list in the event.
In the field events, Jenni Beck (Archbold, OH/Archbold) landed the shot put at 8.58m (28-01.75ft). She also threw the javelin 17.30m (56-09ft).
Eastern Mennonite now gets ready for the ODAC Championships, which are this Friday and Saturday in Salem.
Hey, good luck track team :) Can’t wait to join you next year!