Montreat, N.C. - The track and field Bears opened their 2023 outdoor season with a solid showing at the Montreat Open this past weekend. 

Men's Team:

Noah Thomas finished first and set a school record with a 53.91m throw in the hammer. The junior from Ashland, Ky. is currently ranked ninth in the hammer. Thomas also set another outdoor school record with a 14.13m throw in the shot put, good for second. 

David Exum achieved a new personal best of 43.68m and made the finals in the hammer. Freshman Alex Rogers' 35.88m throw in the hammer was a personal best as well. 

In the discus, Noah Thomas finished second. David Exum and Aaron Watson set new personal bests in the discus with throws of 38.66m and 32.78m, respectively. 

Eli Fortman's 4:39.21 mark in the 1500m was a new personal best for the freshman sprinter from Defiance, Ohio. Bobby Allums had a solid day competing in the 100 and 200 meter dashes. 

Women's Team:

The Bears did very well in the hammer and disc this weekend. Verlecia Scarlett finished first in the hammer. Scarlett, ranked 15th in the hammer, threw a 45.82m in the event which is a new school record and personal best. 

Joining Scarlett in personal bests in the hammer event were Bethany Tackett and Gabby Cook. Tackett threw a 29.84m while Cook threw a 26.48m. Tackett and Cook set new bests in the shot put as well. Valerie Kendrick also competed in the shot put and finished fifth. Freshman sprinter Heaven Carver had a good day as well, clocking a 19.09 in the 100m hurdles. 

It was a successful first outdoor meet for Coach David Espinoza's squad. UPIKE will be back in action next weekend at the Centre Invite in Danville, Ky. 

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