MCC Track Posts Top Finish at Nationals

From School Reports

Winston Salem, NC - MCC came in to the final day of the NJCAA Indoor National Championships at JDL FastTrack with high hopes after a solid day Friday, and they did not disappoint.  The men posted a ninth place finish at the event with 28 points and the women posted a 16th place finish with ten points.

MCC was led on the final day by their men's 4x800 meter relay team that claimed the national championship in the event with a winning time of 7:50.17.  The team consisting of Josh Austin, Noah Smith, Rogelio Araiza and Tim Hoodlebrink finished over two seconds ahead of the second place team Iowa Central.   MCC came in to the event ranked 3rd in the NJCAA. The 4x800m relay also broke the JDL FastTrack Facility record previously held by Duke. 

"I could be happier for our mid distance group and my assistant coach Dustin Mettler stepping up to the challenge," said Head Coach Chip Gayden.  "I challenged those guys last night to start us off with a bang today and they did just that."

In the sprint events, MCC racked up 13 points in the 60 meters with Kendrick Smith placing second with a time of 6.71 and Chris Lewis placing fourth with a time of 6.76. In the 200 meters, MCC scored 5 points with Devarius Turner leading the way with a fifth place finish in a time of 21.75 and Kendrick Smith placing eighth in 24.47.

On the women's side, Ashley Henderson posted a seventh place finish in the 60 meters with a time of 7.63.  In the 200 meters Henderson posted a second place finish with a time of 24.19.

MCC will now gear up for the outdoor season with their first meet in two weeks with the Alabama Relays, March 17-19 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.