LEXINGTON, VA - The Gardner-Webb University track and field team returned to action for a single-day meet on Saturday afternoon at VMI, competing in the VMI Winter Classic

In the men's 60 meter hurdles, TJ Peebles put together one of the best performances for Gardner-Webb. The junior finished third in prelims with a time of 8.44 seconds, qualifying for finals where he then placed second with a time of 8.45 seconds.

The men's 400 meters featured Nathan Cremin for Gardner-Webb, who scored a top five run. The sophomore crossed the lien in 50.10 seconds to take fourth place in the event.

The women's 400 meters proved to be one of the best events of the weekend for Gardner-Webb, with two top five finishes. Freshman Hope Smith took a spot on the podium with a third place run and a time of 58.52 seconds. Senior Alena Ivanov placed fifth as well for GWU, with a time of 59.60 seconds.

Over in the men's 800 meters, senior Ryan Mortia was the leader among four top ten finishes for GWU in the event. Mortia, in fourth, finished with a time of 1:58. Just behind were sophomore Austin DeGeorge in seventh at 2:01, sophomore Kaden Pratt in ninth at 2:05 and senior Mark Mellon in tenth at 2:06

Junior Jessica Perriello and freshman Emily Leatherman continued fine seasons for the Runnin' Bulldogs in the women's 800 meters. Perriello won the event in 2:13, while Leatherman came fourth and clocked in at 2:18

Gardner-Webb also took the top two spots in men's shot put, led by junior Quentin Peterson and freshman Magnum Chestnut. Peterson continued a stellar season with a distance of 18.00 and first place, while Chestnut was just behind in second, putting a distance of 15.27 meters on the board.

Women's shot put also proved to be successful, with the Runnin' Bulldogs taking second place by way of junior Adrionna Coleman. The junior put a distance of 12.82 to meters on the board to wind up on the podium.

The Runnin' Bulldogs also scored second place runs in the women's triple jump and women's weight throw as well. In triple jump, sophomore Teandra Clemons was second with a distance of 11.31 meters, while junior Madison Boyd was second in weight throw behind a distance of 16.72 meters.