Marietta, OH – The University of Pikeville men's track & field team opened their indoor season on Friday at the Marietta First Glimpse meet at Marietta College. The men finished in fifth place out of seven teams with 23 points.

Sophomore Bobby Allums led the way for UPIKE, competing in the 55, 200, and 400-meter events. He recorded 13 total points over the three events. In the 55m, he won his preliminary heat with a 6.60, before besting it in the finals. He finished second in the finals, running a 6.57, to pick up eight points for the Bears. He tied for third in the 200m, running a 23.43 to score five more points for UPIKE. Allums ran a 56.33 in the 400m.

In the shot put, three Bears were in action. Noah Thomas guided UPIKE with a career-best indoor mark of 13.50m, good for fourth place, giving the Bears five points in the process. Also throwing a career-best indoor mark was Ethan Rowe, as he finished ninth at 11.60m. Dustin Hinkle, in his first indoor meet, came in with an 8.28m mark.

In the weight throw, Thomas had a career-best indoor throw of 14.53m, placing fourth and giving the Bears five points. Rowe also had a career-best throw of 12.54m, which was a ninth-place finish while Hinkle threw 6.83m. Thomas's throws in the shot put and weight throw were program records, breaking his own records from 2019-20.

"Bobby did an amazing job racing four events within a 40-minute span" said Bears head coach David Espinoza. "Then the men in throws set new PR's and Noah and Ethan making finals, it was a great way to start the season."

What's Up Next
UPIKE returns to action next Friday when they travel to Crawfordsville, Indiana for the Horace Turner Open hosted by Wabash College.