Hickory, NC - The Lincoln Memorial men's track and field team wrapped up the SAC Outdoor Championships on Thursday, taking 11th place overall. The Railsplitters locked down 10 top 10 finishes across 14 events.

Marig Engelbrecht secured the highest finish for Lincoln Memorial, taking fifth place in the men's 1500m, setting a new personal best and program record with a time of 3:53.19. "Marig saved his best race for last, scoring in a gutsy 1500 that saw him break our school record.," said Director of Track and Field Rochelle Black. "He made it an honest race from the gun, and made others work for their spot." The men did incredible," he added. "What's wild to think is that the times and marks the guys put out there, three years ago would have had them in the top six in the SAC. It just goes to show how good this conference is."

Joel and Luis Borkey took 8th and 10th place respectively in the men's 800m prelims. Joel set a personal record in the prelims before taking 7th place in the men's 800m with a time of 1:56.25. "Joel just arrived here in January, but made an immediate impact indoors," said Black. "What's great is that he and Luis have two more years to build. I'm already thinking about what we could see out of the mid-distance group next year."

Jaxson Branham secured a top 10 finish, taking 6th place in men's 3000m steeple with a time of 9:36.79. Teammate Conner Chandler took 15th place in the event with a time of 10:16.63. "I think what Jaxson has done in such a short time is proof that persistence yields high results," said Black. "He came in not knowing much of the steeplechase and he finished the year as the top guy o the team. Now, he's got some work to do in this conference, but I'm liking the trajectory he's put himself in."

The 4x400m relay team of Hunter Preston, Guillaume Bogaert, Vincent Quilici, and Patrick Zuralski took 6th place overall with a time of 3:18.34, a new season-best and the 95th highest mark in division II this season. "The 4x4 resulted in a time I've thought was capable all year," said Black. Those guys really went for it. Patrick ending his time here at LMU is bittersweet, but that finish of his is one I won't soon forget."

Avery Hatfield took the highest finish of the throws, finishing 14th in the men's hammer with a distance of 138ft, 4in. Teammate Nathan McBride took 25th in the event. Asher Hatfield, Jack Hill, and McBride took 20th, 21st, and 24th respectively in the men's javelin. Avery Hatfield also took 30th in the men's discus and 24th in shot put. "I'm really trying to wrap my head around this throws group," Black added. People think of track and field and forget the throws unit. Losing Nathan and Jack is going to be tough, but the future looks really good for us when it comes to throwing heavy things."

Other finishes include: Simon Fillers, 13th in men's 10k meter. Spencer Baldwin, 16th men's 1500m (prelims), Sam Fulton, 22nd men's 1500m (prelims). Vincent Quilici, 9th place men's 400m (prelims). Guillaume Bogaert, 23rd men's 400m (prelims). Patrick Zuralksi, 8th place in men's 400m hurdles (prelims and final). Hunter Preston, 13th men's 400m (prelims).

"The best way to sum up this season is simple: it's just the start," Black said with conviction. "As we continue to raise the bar, these young men test themselves in ways few can understand. We'll keep moving forward."