Boone, N.C. - GWU got its 2011 indoor track and field season rolling Friday and Saturday, showing at the Appalachian Indoor Invitational as well as the Liberty Kick-Off in Lynchburg, Va.

The Runnin' Bulldogs got wins in the Weight Throw from Jasmine Miles and Travis Rogers, who threw distances of 15.62 m and 18.22 m respectively to place first. Rogers was followed by Runnin' Bulldog teammate Carson Sears, who threw a distance of 16.83 m to finish third in the event.

GWU saw a number of standout performances on the women's side in addition to the win from Miles in the Weight Throw. The throwers continued to put up solid performances for the Runnin' Bulldogs, as GWU's Yazzming Lee posted a distance of 12.79 m in the Shot Put, good enough for second in the event. Coming in third for GWU was newcomer Stephanie Hamilton, who threw a distance 12.51 m in her first meet as a Runnin' Bulldog. Also throwing in the event was Kyntoya Hansford, who recorded a distance of 10.81 m to finish 15th.

Sarah Herd led Gardner-Webb in the High Jump, leaping 1.63 m to finish seventh in the event. Mariah Richardson (1.53 m) was next for GWU, followed by Moody (1.48 m).

In the 200 m dash, GWU was paced by Katy Milton's time of 27.76. She was followed by Ashley Slate and Olivia Moody, who finished in 28.45 and 28.49 respectively.

Nancy Cates led the Runnin' Bulldogs in the 55 m dash as the sophomore from Waynesboro, Ga. finished in a time of 7.85 seconds. Senior Caroline Arledge also sprinted for the Runnin' Bulldogs, finishing the 55 m dash in 8.33.

In the One Mile Run, Ivana Hughes recorded a time of 5:46.64 to lead Gardner-Webb. Katie Spiro (5:48.31) and Cherish Richardson (6:01.79) also ran for GWU on the day.

Senior distance specialist Ellie Glunk competed in the 3000 m run for the Runnin' Bulldogs, as her time of 11:35.71 was good enough to finish seventh overall.

GWU was led in the Long Jump by Milton, whose distance 5.04 m placed her 13th overall.

GWU's 4x400 m relay, comprised of Moody, T'Keyah Bell, Mariah Richardson, and Slate, finished 12th with a time of 4:10.02.

At the Liberty Kick-Off, GWU saw three pole-vaulters finish in the top ten of their events. Ann Marie Howell led the Runnin' Bulldogs, recording a height of 3.45 m to finish fifth. Bethany Wright and Taylor Cook also cracked to top 10, tying for seventh with a height of 3.45 m. Also vaulting for the Runnin' Bulldogs was Blaire Teeters, who notched a height 2.55 m in the event.

On the men's side at the Appalachian Indoor Invitational, the throwers continued to impress in the Shot Put, as GWU's Sears recorded another top five finish for the Runnin' Bulldogs. His distance of 14.56 m was good enough for fifth place. Sears was followed by Rogers, who finished sixth after throwing 14.37 m. Also throwing for GWU in the event was junior Andy Scates (11.64 m).

In the 4x400 m relay, Gardner-Webb got a standout performance from the quartet of Jonathan Parks, Codi Merritt, Galen Keene, and Miles Harris, whose cumulative time of 3:24.94 was fourth best.

Parks' time of 22.79 led GWU in the 200 m dash, as the sophomore from Douglassville, Ga. finished eighth in the event. He was followed by the freshman Harris, who finished 13th in 23.02. Merritt (23.33) and Keene (23.77) also ran for Gardner-Webb in the event.

In the High Jump, Gardner-Webb 's Chris Darden recorded a height of 6.63 m to pace the Runnin' Bulldog effort. Also jumping for GWU on the day was Tavarus Ferguson and Ben Bell, who scored heights of 6.25 m and 5.83 m respectively.

GWU's Marquise Joyce led the way in the 55 m dash with a time of 6.76.

Sophomore Jarrett Willis paced the Runnin' Bulldogs in the One Mile Run, crossing the line in 10:16.19.

Gardner-Webb track & field will be back in action at the Appalachian Opener after the holidays. The event will be held on January 14 in Boone, N.C.