Track and Field nabs eight podium finishes at Gamecock Opener

FULL RESULTS (PDF)

COLUMBIA, S.C. - The UNC Asheville track and field team started off 2023 with several strong performances in the Gamecock Opener.

Overall, the Bulldogs were able to find the podium eight times and won three events over the course of the day, while posting multiple top-five finishes into the Asheville record books.

Junior distance runner Adam Hessler continued to add his name to the record books with a first place finish in the men's 3000 meter run, with a time of 8:28.71. This marks Hessler's second top-five all-time performance of the 2022-23 season, placing fourth in the Asheville record books, slightly behind his second place time of 8:25.18 set last season.

Alex Haines took first place in the mile run, finishing with a time of 4:16.42, posting the second fastest time in the Asheville record books and a personal best in this event. Kenneth Wilkes also took the top prize in the triple jump with a distance of 14.38 meters.

Other podium finishers include Claudia Prieto, who placed second in the women's triple jump with a distance of 11.56 meters and also placed fourth in the long jump (5.73 m). Reigning Big South field athlete of the week, Solomon McDonald, placed second in the men's shot put with a distance of 17.18 meters and fifth in the weight throw (14.99 m). Coming off a strong performance at the John Weaver Invitational, Raina Jackson continued to impress in the women's shot put, placing second with a distance of 13.35 meters.

Other highlights include Ava Nkadi's third place finish in the 800 meter run and a third place finish from Zac Weas in the 60 meter hurdles.

The Bulldogs will be back in action January 27-28 when they travel to VMI for the VMI Winter Classic.

Track and Field nabs eight podium finishes at Gamecock Opener

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Players Mentioned

Alex Haines

Adam Hessler

Raina Jackson

Solomon McDonald

Ava Nkadi

Claudia Prieto

Zac Weas

Kenneth Wilkes