SEU Men’s Track Wins Birmingham Southern Invitational

BIRMINGHAM, Ala.—The Fire men’s track team is coming home with its first piece of hardware in program history.
The Fire men scored 105.5 points at the Birmingham Southern Invitational to claim the team title, and beat NCAA Division I Alabama State by 20.5, and best its closest NAIA competition by more than 30.
It is the first team title in the sport in school history.
On the women’s side, the Fire totaled 59 points, finishing behind Alabama State, Berry, and Alabama A&M.
Freshman Davonte Vanterpool qualified for his second nationals appearance by winning the event and hitting the NAIA “B” Standard in the 110 Hurdles with a time of 14.78, which is just three hundredths off the “A” Standard. He also earned a point in the high jump with an eighth place finish at 1.88 meters.
Also qualifying for nationals was the women’s 4 x 100 relay team of freshmen Morgan Strickland, Ashley Higgs, Courtey Gales, and Namiah Simpson. They finished in a time of 48.12 to hit the “B” Standard.
On the men’s side, Giovanni Allen was at the top of the javelin podium with a best toss of 45.83 meters. Allen also picked up two points with a seventh place finish in the hammer with a mark of 40.12 meters.
Trey Alford was second in the 100 Meters in a time of 10.91, just two tenths off the NAIA “B” Standard. He also finished second in the 200 in a time of 21.97.
The men’s 4 x 100 relay team placed third in a time of 42.65.
Jordan Gonzalez added six points, finishing fourth in the 800 Meters with a time of 1:57.13.
The women’s team saw Raeanna Pabon finish second in the 5000 Meters with a time of 19:06.
Courtney Gales was fifth in the 400 Meters in 58.77. She also earned two points with a seventh-place finish in the long jump at 4.94 meters.
Ashley Higgs was fifth in the 100 Meters in 12.79.
Jenycha Rivera placed sixth in the 800 in 2:30.57, followed closely by Maddison Welch in at 2:33.48.
Keyvyn Stinyard earned a point in the hammer throw, finishing eighth with a best mark of 35.2 meters.
Both teams return to action next weekend at the UCF Black & Gold Challenge.