Columbia, SC – UPIKE track and field competed in the first outdoor event of the 2021 season over the weekend, recording numerous personal records and a podium finish by Noah Thomas in the shot-put.

In total, four Bears made the finals in their respective competitions highlighted by sophomore Noah Thomas who made the final round in the discus, shot-put, and hammer throw. The Ashland, KY native began competition on Friday, setting a new program record in the hammer throw with a distance of 41.93 meters. Thomas would go on to finish sixth overall in the event after throwing 41.94 meters on Saturday.

On Saturday, Thomas notched a new PR and placed third in the discus after totaling a distance of 42.30 meters which is a new program record. Thomas also placed fifth in the shot-put competition and recorded a new PR of 12.87 meters.

The list of personal bests achieved by the Bears over the weekend is extensive and includes men's throwers Ethan Rowe, and Dustin Hinkle. Rowe notched a new PR in the shot-put, discus, and hammer throw with his best finish coming at 19th in the shot-put with a distance of 10.24 meters. Hinkle also threw for personal record distances in the same three events, his best finish was in the discus, coming in 48^th.

Also achieving personal milestones was women's thrower Verlecia Scarlett who set a program record in the shot-put with a distance of 10.74 meters. Scarlett also recorded PRs in the discus and hammer throw events. Jamesha Nellum threw for a distance of 25.08 meters in the hammer to finish two places behind Scarlett and also recorded a PR of 9.45 meters in the shot put.

In the running events, Jonah Bell and David Watson competed in the 800 and 1500 with Bell managing personal bests in both events. Watson notched the best finish of the two in the 800 with a time of 2:27.81, which is a personal best as well.

"This weekend we competed very well for our first outdoor meet," said Head Coach David Espinoza, "So many of our athletes had great PRs and it was an overall great performance. Noah was impressive in the throws on the men's side, making it into the finals in all three of his events."

Espinoza went on to commend the middle-distance runners, "that group ran really well this weekend and were competitive in their races. It was great to finally get outdoors after a year off due to COVID, we have a lot of great things to key on moving forward."

The Bears look ahead to more outdoor action as they prepare for the Montreat College Invitational set for March 26-27^th.