January 26, 2018

Gaul, McDermott headline Eagles top finishers after day one of Finn Pincus Invitational

SALEM, Va. – Day one of the Finn Pincus Invitational turned in a handful of top results for the Eagles, as two athletes collected first-place finishes for the first time during the indoor season.

Tori Gaul brought home the top finish in the Pole Vault for Carson-Newman clearing a height of 3.51 meters. The mark is a new-season best for the senior out of Salisbury, N.C. after topping 3.35 meters which she set in both the Bast-Cregger Invitational and ETSU Invitational.

Jahvad McDermott also collected a first-place finish for the Eagles in the high jump clearing a height of 2.03 meters on his first attempt. Dakarai Hightower of St. Augustine's also cleared the 2.03 meter height, however, it took the senior two attempts. Both McDermott and Hightower missed all three attempts at 2.08 meters.

"We had some great performances today," head coach David Needs stated. "To see Jahvad to continue to push forward and improve his PR is great especially when he competed against two of the top athletes from St. Augustine."

Senior Samantha Gudger came away with a third-place finish in the high jump clearing the bar at 1.58 meters on her first attempt, despite the lower mark from her previous two invitationals. The Bristol, Tenn. native missed on all three attempts at 1.65 meters on Friday, but has already cleared that height earlier this season.

For McDermott, a native of Brooklyn, New York, 2.03 meters is a new personal best this season after topping his previous high of 2.01 meters set at the ETSU Invitational on Jan. 13.

In his first competition of the indoor season, freshman Noah Robertson turned in a second place finish in the men's pole vault clearing a height of 4.30 meters. Robertson and first-place finisher Shep Sims out of Washington and Lee, were the only pole-vaulters to complete the jump at 4.30. Sims also cleared the mark at 4.45 meters before missing on 4.60. Robertson fell short on all three attempts at 4.45.

"It was awesome to have Noah compete in the pole vault and he gives us so much more depth as a team," Needs added. "It was also great to see Tori continue to display why she is so special after a few nagging injuries."

Carson-Newman competes against the likes of South Atlantic Conference foe Catawba, and former D2 champion St. Augustine's among a list of other competitive talent.

"While we appreciate winning events at a meet where the D2 Champion is at, we know we are still trying to push times and distances further and faster," Needs said. "Saturday should be a great measurement of where we are and need to be."

Day two of the Finn Pincus Invitational will pick back up from Roanoke College Saturday morning at 11:00 a.m.

You can view the full list of events on slate for Saturday here.

Women's Track & Field Results

High Jump

3). Samantha Gudger – 1.58 meters

9) Shelby Reynolds – 1.43 meters

12. Stephanie Johnson – 1.38 meters

Pole Vault

1). Tori Gaul – 3.51 meters (Season best)

Men's Track & Field Results

High Jump

1) Jahvad McDermott – 2.03 meters (Season best)