Bulldog Track & Field Opens Big South Championships

HIGH POINT, N.C. – The UNC Asheville track and field teams opened the 2015 Big South Championships on Thursday, advancing to the finals in several events and also turning in high finishes in the finals in two events.

The highlight for the Bulldogs came in the women's long jump, where sophomore Argia Gibson finished in second place after her distance of 5.73 meters, setting the Asheville school record in the event.

In another final, three Bulldogs placed in the women's 1,000 meter run, led by senior Kasey Briggs' fifth place finish with her 37:40.74 time. Fellow seniors Erin Dalton (38:20.66) and Adrian Etheridge (39:55.76) finished 10^th and 15^th, respectively.

Senior Kassandra Pierre advanced to the finals of the women's 400 meter hurdle finals after turning in a time of 1:00.62 to finish fourth in Thursday's prelims. Pierre's time breaks the school record, which she had previously set earlier this season. In other preliminary action, sophomore Sarah Heisner (4:45:52) and junior Kelsie Rubino (4:41.31) each advanced to the finals in the women's 1,500 meter run.

The only Bulldog to compete in men's action on Thursday was senior Sam Barbeau, who finished eighth in the javelin throw with his new personal best distance of 48.22 meters.

Through the first day of action, the Asheville women sit in fourth place with 12 team points, while the men are in sixth place with one point.