Men’s Track and Field Takes First at Regionals

HICKORY, N.C.-- The Mars Hill men's track and field team took first place at the Southeast Regional Championships at Lenoir-Rhyne University.

This is the first time since 2005 Mars Hill has placed first at Regionals, and is the fifth regional title in school history. Travis Riner led many outstanding Lion performances by finishing in the top three of three events. Riner placed first in Discus with a throw of 136 feet, 8 inches and second in the Javelin with a throw of 150 feet, two inches. Riner also won the Shot Put event with a throw of 47 feet. Additionally, Riner placed third in the Hammer with a throw of 126 feet, nine inches. Riner accumulated 34 points, which is the highest a Mars Hill male student-athlete has ever recorded at a regional event.

Mars Hill turned in its typically strong performance in the 1000 M run. Eric Blackburn and Kiel Bollero earned All-Region honors, finishing first and third respectively. Carter Benge and Cameron Witherspoon also earned points for the Lions in the event.

Jaymz Fagaragan placed fifth in the Javelin with a throw of 137 feet, six inches. Fagaragan also turned in a second place finish in the Pole Vault. The second place finish earned Fagaragan All-Region honors in the event.Fagaragan also earned a sixth place finish in the 110 M Hurdles.

Issac Phyall earned points for the Lions with an eighth place finish in the High Jump, with a height of five feet, 8.75 inches. Phyall also placed eighth in the Triple Jump with a distance of 42 feet, nine inches. Additionall, Phyall finished fourth in the 400 M Hurdles.

Tyjuan Hill earned All-Region honors with a third place finish in the Long Jump. Hill jumped a distance of 21 feet, 5.25 inches to earn the finish.

Deandre Vines and Cameron Shaw placed seventh and eighth in the 100M dash, which was good enough to earn points for the Lions.

Derek Gibson placed third in the Steeplechase with a time of 9:57.11.

Justin Gragg continued his strong running in distance events. Gragg won the 5000 M with a time of 15:10.99. Derek Gibson placed fourth in the same event and Joshua Adcock finished sixth.

"This was the greatest season I have ever been a part of in my 10 years of Track and Field," said assistant coach Brad Nagel. "I will never forget this day or these athletes who gave their all every day and it paid off in the long run."

The next event for the Lions will be the NC A&T Last Chance Meet on May 12 in Greensboro, N.C.