University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
Málek’s School Record Highlights Asheville’s First Day in Charlotte
03.22.2025 | Track and Field
CHARLOTTE, N.C. - The UNC Asheville track & field team completed day one of the 49er Classic in Charlotte, N.C., on Friday (March 21).
Opening his outdoor season in spectacular style, Jan Málek broke the school record in the men's 1,500m and placed third overall with his time of 3:48.89. Alex Haines set the previous record of 3:49.99 at last year's Big South Outdoor Track and Field Championships.
Joining Málek was followed by Quinn Jacquez, who placed 18th in 3:59.44, and Andrew Okon, who placed 34th in 4:07.95, just ahead of Logan Russo in 35th in 4:08.22.
Also returning to track competition this weekend was DaMarr Harvey, who earned a second-place finish in the men's 100m with a time of 10.58, only .25 off his school record set at last year's Big South Championship. He was joined by Nkosi Jeju (20th, 11.11) and Aaron Higgins (34th, 11.36).
In a strongly contested men's 400m, Joseph Oliver charged to 9th place with his time of 48.73. Oliver's finish put him at No. 5 in the program record book. Christopher Owens locked a PR of 49.14.
Over on the infield, Asheville enjoyed some successful performances from Kellan Ferrell and Nkosi Jeju, who both placed fifth overall in their respective events. Ferrell cleared 1.81 meters in group B of the men's high jump, and Jeju jumped to 6.90 meters in the men's long jump. Jeju stretched the school record in the indoor long jump to 7.34 meters earlier this year and now enters at No. 3 in the outdoor records. Alongside Ferrell was Gabe Matthews, who placed eighth at 1.76 meters. Chad Lasher placed 19th with 35.67 meters in the men's hammer throw, Blake Hawks placed 27th with 6.50 meters in the men's long jump, followed by Aaron Higgins in 45th with 5.78 meters.
In the men's 110m hurdles, Session set his outdoor season off to a flying start with a ninth-place finish and time of 15.18. Session's time enters him at No. 5 on Asheville's All-Time list. He was joined by Noah Henthorn, who placed 30th with 18.73. Next to compete was the women's 100m hurdles, where Lee Kania finished 23rd with 17.19 and Madison Eaches closely followed in 28th with 19.31.
Taking the hurdles away, Chaniya Owens placed 20th with a personal best of 12.65 in the women's 100m. Owens was joined by Kamryn Peeples (30th -13.04), Zoey Marrero (32nd, 13.15), and Alexis Vaughan (33rd, 13.17).
In the women's section of the 400m, Francesca Cergol led the charge for Asheville with a 15th-place finish and personal best time of 59.03. Close behind was Murielle Jeanite, who placed 18th in 59.85.
Switching to the women's 1,500m, Isabel Richardson placed sixth with her time of 4:38.05. Nikole Baikova placed 18th at 4:47.22, and Ella Warren in 30th at 4:59.38.
Taking the lap count up to 12, Addi Corl placed eighth with 18:40.23 in the open section of the women's 5,000m. Four bulldogs competed in the open men's section, with Jonas Roach locking the highest finish at 10th place with a personal best of 15:09.11. Nate Sullivan was next to cross the line, securing a personal best of 15:37.48 to place 28th. Roach and Sullivan were joined by Tadiyos Sloan-Westmoreland (34th, 15:52.68) and Lance Surles (35th, 15:54.64, PR).
In the women's 5,000m, Ella Moore clocked a sub-18 minute run of 17:54.84, a personal best that earned her 17th place. Sophie Lundin placed 23rd (18:41.89), and Madeline Wittschen placed 25th (19:07.24).
Murielle Jeanite jumped to a personal best distance of 5.08 meters and earned a 21st-place finish in the women's long jump. Jeanite was joined by Chaniya Owens (35th, 4.67 meters) and Kania (38th, 4.42 meters).
In the discus, Madison Hannah placed 11th with her throw of 37.71 meters, followed by Neely Rogan (17th, 35.58 meters) and Christina Jones (21st, 34.87 meters, PR).
The Bulldogs will return to the Irwin Belk Center tomorrow, March 22, for the second and final day of competition at the 49ers Classic.
For complete results from day one, click here.
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Players Mentioned
