Harrogate, TN- The Lincoln Memorial Track team competed in their season opener yesterday in the Commonwealth College Opener. Both the women's and men's teams combined for fifteen top-10 final finishes, six top-five final finishes, and a multitude of new program records. When asked about the meet on Saturday, Coach Black added: "This was a great start to the season. We've got several great performances on the day. Looking forward to training for the next competition"
 
Several school records were broken in just the very first meet for this very young Lincoln Memorial track team. Freshman, Sterling Webb broke two records in the 60m hurdle prelims and long jump. The newcomer crossed the line in the 60m hurdle prelims at 9.14 which is .02 seconds faster than the previous record holder, Micah Sells. Her long jump distance of 5.25m (17'02 .75") smashes Elizabeth Close's previous program record of 5.03m (16'5 .75") set at the 2023 SAC Indoor Championships. Webb, alongside teammates Taylor Castle, Destiny Gibbs, and Ereyonna Gore, beat the previous 4x400 school record, almost breaking 4:00.00. The squad was the highest-ranked division two team in the 4x400s and ran a 4:00.56, falling behind Stanford, Louisville, and Lipscomb. Destiny Gibbs took over a program record of her own in the Women's 400m with a time of 58.45. Gibbs placed 3rd overall behind Lipscomb's Abigal Alvarado and Louisville's Taylor Boggess.

Kylee Alvis beat her previous program record of shot put (35'6.50"). She placed fifth overall behind a very competitive Stanford team. Hank Fisher also broke the previous school record in the men's shot put (41'0 .25"). He overthrew the previous record holder, Kyle Nable who threw a 37'5.25" in 2020.  
 
Avery Hatfield placed 7th overall in the men's weight throw and set a record of his own. (43'5.25").
 
Another competitor, Clayon Cooper ran a 1:22.80 in the mens 600m race, also breaking the previous program record. Cate Lensch, the first-ever women's pole vaulter at Lincoln Memorial University placed 3rd in her debut. She set the program record at 3.01m (9-10.50).  
 
UP NEXT
The Railsplitters will continue their indoor track season at the Bast Cregger Invitational, hosted by Roanoke on Friday, December 8.