The Briar Cliff indoor track and field teams began their seasons Friday at the SDSU Holiday Open in Brookings, South Dakota. Three Chargers placed in the top-eight in a field that featured athletes from three NCAA D1 schools and four D2 teams.
Â
"Today's meet was definitely a good measurement of where we are at," said head coach Scott Barnes. "On the women's side we are young, so I am optimistic with this start we should improve greatly over the next three or four meets. Rob broke two-minutes in the 800 and is reaching toward a national qualifying time. Had a couple sprinters that just missed finals, but overall, a great effort from them. Great first test for our team, it's a good benchmark for where we are at and I'm optimistic as we move forward!"
Â
Damond Anderson had the best placing for the Cliff, posting a 13.63 triple jump to take fourth place. Anderson's jump was the best of the NAIA athletes, as the top-three placers were from D1 and D2 teams.
Â
Robert Amaro posted a time of 1:59.07 in the 800m and finished in sixth. He was followed by teammate
Carter Matthews who ran a 2:05.23 and placed 10th.
Â
Osiel Ochoa also finished top-eight for BC, running a time of 51.87 in the 400-meter dash and finished seventh.
Jalen Cook was ninth in the 600m after posting a time of 1:24.99, and
Juan Celio was 23rd in the one mile at 5:02.37.
Muluken Wempe's jump of 5.56 in the long jump was good for 20th.
Â
Isabel Sayler qualified for the finals of the triple jump but finished just outside of placement at ninth. Her best jump was a 10.61m and had the second-best NAIA leap.
Â
Jasmine Joseph took 19th in the 200 at 27.03 and was 36th in the 60m with a time of 8.31 seconds. TyJana Gardner competed in the long jump and had a best jump of 4.28 meters, while
Pluma Pross ran a time of 2:39.85 in the 800.
Â
The Chargers are back on the track next Saturday at the Bulldog Early Bird Meet hosted by Concordia in Seward, Nebraska.
#BattleOn