FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. -- The John Brown University track and field team produced 14 program top-10 performances Friday (Jan. 16) at the University of Arkansas Invitational inside the Tyson Indoor Track Center.
Freshman Katalina Chan led the Golden Eagles with three individual program top-10 marks, including a program-record 1:00.59 in the women's 400 meters. Chan also ran 8.33 seconds in the women's 60 meters, the fifth-fastest time in program history.
The women's 800 meters saw junior Emma Morton continue her transition to middle distance with a second-place program finish, running 2:21.88 to place 13th. Freshman Edith Bell wasn't far behind, posting 2:26.38 for 15th place and the eighth-fastest mark in program history. Sophomore Anna Claire Orr finished 17th at 2:36.63, while sophomore Camryn Chaffin ran 2:39.56 to place 18th.
Senior Matthew Cook placed ninth in the men's 800 meters with a time of 1:56.26, the sixth-fastest in program history. Freshman Ian Sustaita Garcia crossed the line 14th in 1:59.77.
"We've had an exciting start to the indoor season across the board," head coach Peter Cunningham said. "Katalina has come onto the scene in an exciting way. In just two meets, we've seen her name appear on the top 10 records board five times. She's a hard worker and an encouraging teammate, and there's more to come from Katalina. In Emma's first 800 meters since spring 2023, she set a personal record by nearly six seconds. It was a bold move for her to start training for longer races, so it's nice to see things clicking early.
"On the men's side, the third-fastest mile in JBU history showed just how close we are to some long-standing marks, and once again nipping at the heels of a 'Matt Pearson record,' Payton is showing great form early this indoor season. He's been a contagious hard worker, and it's great to see others following his lead. Matt Pearson was in the audience, cheering as loudly as anyone."
Distance events provided the highlight of the day for JBU, with freshman Payton Brack cracking the program's all-time top-10 lists in two separate races. Brack ran 4:21.42 in the mile to place 24th, establishing the third-fastest time in program history, before returning to clock 8:45.55 in the men's 3,000 meters for 19th place. The 3,000-meter mark ranks second all-time.
Two other Golden Eagles also earned spots on the program's all-time mile list. Sophomore Sam Burkett's 4:27.98 ranks seventh, while Sustaita Garcia's 4:30.09 sits 10th. Junior Henry Zedler ran 4:42.46, with freshman Daniel Ogomo and freshman Landry Finch posting times of 4:44.36 and 4:49.91.
Joining Brack in the men's 3,000-meter program top-10 was senior Chase Schermer, who placed 20th with a time of 8:47.73 that ranks third all-time. Sophomore Gabriel Pelkey ran 9:19.23, while Ogomo finished in 9:24.86.
In the women's mile, freshman Abigail Stucker ran 5:19.93 for the sixth-fastest mark in program history. Orr also competed in the mile, finishing in 5:38.46, while freshman Brianna Vargas and sophomore Tori Calder ran 6:15.01 and 6:15.64.
Sophomore Paige Andrews ran 11:42.17 in the women's 3,000 meters, the ninth-best time in program history. Senior Naia Shepherd finished in 12:50.16, followed by freshman Sasha Strohl at 12:57.76.
The men's sprints featured freshman Emerick Wilson and junior Chase Stone, with Wilson running 7.35 seconds in the 60-meter prelims and Stone finishing in 14.79.
Five Golden Eagles competed in the men's 800 meters, with Zedler leading the group in 2:03.55 to place 19th. Finch ran 2:07.01, with freshman Ethan Elder at 2:07.50, junior Zach Briscoe at 2:08.29, and freshman Luke Preedy finishing in 2:11.86. Chan placed 20th in the women's 400 meters with her program-record performance.
Freshman Nadia Clark competed in two throwing events, recording 9.83 meters (32 feet, 3 inches) in the shot put for 14th place and 10.03 meters (32 feet, 11 inches) in the weight throw, which ranks 10th in program history.
Capping the day's program records, the women's 1,600-meter relay team of Chan, Morton, Bell and Stucker ran 4:12.46 to place 13th, setting a new program mark.
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