WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Andrew Ward broke the school record in the weight throw to highlight Campbell's performances at the UNCG Early Bird Duals on Sunday at the JDL FastTrack. CU posted 15 top-10 finishes among a field of 12 teams from the Carolinas to open up the 2017-18 indoor track & field season.

"The highlight of the day was definitely Andrew getting our school record in the weight throw," said head coach Michael Kelly. "It was pretty cool to see a freshman take down the school record in his first collegiate meet."

Twelve student-athletes made their Campbell debut on Sunday, including five on the women's side and seven on the men's. Four first-year student-athletes recorded six top-10 finishes in the indoor season opener. 

"Overall, it was a great to get out of the practice stage and get some experience competing against some other schools. This meet makes us hungrier to buckle down and train harder," said Kelly. 

THROWS

Ward broke the school record in the weight throw with a best mark of 49' 0.25" (14.94m) to place fifth in the event for the Camels. The Campbell record was previously held by Dave Matthews with a mark of 48' 9.50" (14.87m) in 2011. Ward also recorded a top-10 finish in the shot put with a mark of 41' 10.75" (12.77m) to place ninth. 

Cody Stewart also had a solid debut in the weight throw and shot put with top-16 finishes in both events. He was 14th in the shot put (10.72m) and 16th in the weight throw (10.51m) for the Camels.

SPRINTS, HURDLES & RELAYS

Sabina Allen had a solid early season performance in the 60m, clocking in with a PR of 7.69 to place second in the event. She won the second heat by nearly two-tenths of a second, but fell just short of the Sarah Hill's top time of 7.57. Deja Reid also competed for the Camels, running a time of 8.23 to place 19th in the event.

"Sabina ran a great 60m race and that was a big PR for her," said Kelly. 

Khai McLin and Samuel Adams went 3-4 in the first heat of the 60m to place fourth and sixth overall on the men's side. McLin posted a time of 7.02 and Adams followed closely behind with a time of 7.05.

The duo of McLin and Adams also posted top-10 finishes in the 200m. McLin ran a 22.23 to place second and Adams crossed the finish line in a time of 23.21 to finish 10th. Collin Cooper also competed for the Camels, clocking in at 23.78 to place 20th.

Three athletes finished in the top-12 in the 400m, led by Ka'Deem Wynn (51.61) in ninth place. Collin Cooper followed in 10th place with a time of 51.71, while Trevon Compito clocked in at 52.54 to finish in 12th place.

Chigozie Atavwigho kicked off his junior campaign with a second place finish in the 60m hurdles on Sunday afternoon. He crossed the finish line in a time of 8.45, which is just 0.19 seconds off of his personal best in the event. Marcus Mize finished 12th with a time of 9.37.

Faith Lee made her Campbell debut in the 60m hurdles at the JDL FastTrack, clocking in at 9.49 to take 14th place among all competitors.

The CU men's team closed out the meet by posting a time of 3:26.75 in the 4x400m relay, with Atavwigho, McLin, Compito and Wynn competing for the Fighting Camels.

DISTANCE

Brianna Meyrick competed in the 800m for the Camels on Sunday, finishing the race in a time of 2:30.04 to place sixth.  

Meshack Kipruto opened up his indoor track season at the BU Season Opener in Boston, Mass., on Saturday evening. He posted a time of 14:25.88 in the race, which improved upon his PR by nearly a minute and a half, to take 10th place.

His time was the fourth best in program history, only trailing former teammate Amon Terer and current teammates Amon Kemboi and Lawrence Kipkoech.

JUMPS

Isaac Ray cleared 12' 7.50" (3.85m) to place third in the pole vault in his collegiate debut for the Fighting Camels. The Hummelstown, Pa., native improved upon his PR in the event by more than a foot.

Deja Reid posted a top-10 finish in the long jump in her collegiate debut on Sunday, recording a best mark of 16' 11.50" (5.17m) to place ninth.

UP NEXT

The Camels will return to training in preparation for the Clemson Orange & Purple Invitational on Jan. 6 following the upcoming holiday break. For the latest information on Campbell track & field, make sure to follow @GoCamelsRun on Twitter.