JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. – Claire Cates trimmed nearly a minute of her previous personal record in the 5,000m run Friday at the ETSU Buccaneer Invitational and Gardner-Webb had several personal marks fall on the first of two days in Mountain States Health Alliance Athletic Center.
Cates crossed the finish line in 18.40.96, finishing just three seconds out of the top-10. It was part of a very strong effort by the GWU women Friday.
Sophomore Kayin Mujahid took fifth in the women's high jump, clearing a height of 1.63m (5'4.25"), her best effort of the year to date indoors, part of an effort on the women's side that produced
Megan Melton finished sixth in the pole vault with a height of 3.50m (11'5.75"), tying her indoor personal record, which she has accomplished twice this season. The mark is just .07m off her overall personal record – set outdoors last season at High Point.
Elise Moffatt picked up an 11th-place finish in the vault, clearing a height of 3.35m for a season-high performance.
Sarah Mitchell took sixth in the women's weight throw with a distance of 15.72m (51'7") and freshman Diamond Reese took 11th with a distance of 14.95m for a pair of top-15 finishes for the Runnin' Bulldogs in the event.
Reese's toss was 0.85m above her previous career-best mark, set on January 16 at the Dick Taylor Carolina Cup.
On the men's side, Ben Bell sits in sixth place going into the second day of the men's indoor heptathlon with 2,649 points – 38 points out of the top-5 with three events to go. Ball finished fourth in the high jump (1.86m), fifth in the long jump (6.47m), ninth in the shot put (10.69m) and 10th in the 60m dash Friday.
Nathan Padfield finished third in the men's weight throw with a distance of 16.21m (53'2.25"). The junior from LaVergne, Tenn., made that throw on his first attempt, and rallied to finish above 16 meters on each of his last two attempts – but could not top his initial throw.
Padfield's efforts were second-best among college competitors Friday in the event.
Jordan Smith finished with a distance of 15.61m to finish fifth, making that mark on his last throw of the day.
Gardner-Webb will wrap up competition Saturday at ETSU.
