Day 1 - NAIA Indoor Track & Field Nationals

GAINESVILLE, Florida – Day one of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Indoor Track & Field Championships is in the book for the Our Lady of the Lake (OLLU) men's and women's track & field squads. Today's events included the women's 4x400m relay, the men's 4x400m relay and the men's triple jump.

The women's 4x400m team got the day started for the Saints. The team of Alexandria Segura, Aziza Clark, Tara Madrid, and Autum Roberts came into the Championships seeded 21st of 25 teams. After running a 3:57.48 to get to the Championships, the squad set a new indoor school record this afternoon with a time of 3:54.30 to finish 14th.

"Our girls ran the best 4x400m relay race in school history, indoor or outdoor," said OLLU Head Track & Field Coach Brett Charlton. "They all had their fastest individual splits of the season which gives us a lot of confidence heading into the outdoor season. In past years, today's time would have been good enough to make the finals, but the NAIA is extremely fast this year which is good for the sport."

The men's 4x400m team took to the track to battle for a spot in Saturday's final. In a loaded 29-tema field, the Saints ran the 12th fastest time, but it was not enough to get them to the finals. Richard Davis, Jalen Bell, Yvann Agah, and Julian Verastegui ran a 3:15.06.

"The men's time was the fourth fastest indoor time in school history and the second fastest this season," continued Charlton. "We fell short of our goal to make the finals but have a lot to build off of as we head into outdoor season."

De'Jon Lewis was the last OLLU athlete to compete on day one, competing in the triple jump. In a field of 25, Lewis' jump of 14.45m earned him an 11th place finish.

"De'Jon missed the finals by two places but had the highest field event finish in school history at a National meet," added Charlton. "Excited to see him continue his success into outdoors."

Action will continue tomorrow as Lawren Tanner competes in the women's long jump at 12:00 p.m. and Verastegui in the men's 400m at 12:25 p.m. Malik White will compete in the men's 60m hurdles at 11:50 a.m.

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