MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. - The Gardner-Webb University track and field teams opened the 2025 outdoor season on Friday afternoon along the South Carolina coast, taking part in the Myrtle Beach Collegiate Challenge. The 'Dawgs had a banner day in Myrtle Beach, taking a couple first place results, several podiums and a new school record in the men's 4x200 meter race.

Senior Calvin Fernandez rocketed to the top of the leader-board, winning the men's javelin throw. Fernandez was far away from the field, posting a 62.51 meter distance.

Sophomore Isa van Sintemaartensdijk rolled over a solid indoor season into the beginning of outdoor. Van Sintemaartensdijk was first in women's javelin throw with a distance of 38.29 meters and 14th in the women's 100-meter hurdles with a time of 16.23 seconds

Freshman Jonathan Garrett competed for Gardner-Webb in the men's hammer throw. Garrett posted a distance of 49.59 meters to take third place.

The women's hammer throw also proved to be a success for GWU, with junior Madison Boyd. Boyd put up a distance of 48.81 meters, good enough for fourth place.

Over in men's long jump, freshman Joshua Powell also rolled a solid indoor season into the start of outdoor, with Powell placing second in the men's long jump with 7.02 meters

Big South Indoor Champion, sophomore Teandra Clemons competed in the women's long jump, where Clemons took third place with a distance of 5.60 meters recorded.

Gardner-Webb posted four impressive relay results, including fourth in the women's 4x200, second in the women's 4x200, second in the women's 4x800 and second in the men's 4x200. The men's 4x200 team, consisting of Nathan Cremin, DJ Black, Nico Wright and Noah Meadows crossed the line in 1:26.93, not only setting a brand new Gardner-Webb record, but shattering the previous mark that had been held for 23 years.

More events are on tap on Saturday in Myrtle Beach, as the 'Dawgs continue the Myrtle Beach Collegiate Challenge