BLACK MOUNTAIN, N.C. - The NAIA indoor season allows for an opening meet to take place outdoors if weather conditions cooperate. Yesterday, the conditions could not have been better for the Cavaliers to start their indoor season at Pulliam Stadium.

In a tri-meet with area rival Mars Hill and the AAC's Milligan, the Montreat Cavaliers' women's team got the indoor season off to a record-setting start. Junior Katie Colenda (SO/Grimesland, NC / Sprints/Hurdle) set Montreat's pole vault record by clearing 2.28 meters, or just under 7 1/2 feet, on Wednesday. Shot putter Katelyn Johnson (FR/Timberlake, NC / Mid-Distance) set the new standard for Montreat with a throw of 6.93 meters, or 22.73 feet.

Other strong performances included Josie Hanna (FR/St. Helens, OR / Mid-Distance)'s second place finish in the 600 meters, with a time of 1:43.65. Hanna hails from St. Helen's, Oregon and with fellow freshman Lydia Wilson (SO/Smithfield, VA / Distance) is one of the squad's many promising young runners. Two more freshmen rounded out the 600m finishers, including Deanna Lewis (SO/Toccoa, GA / Mid-Distance) (1:54.79) and Holly Stevens (FR/Mount Juliet, TN / Distance) (2:10.05).

Fresh off her trip to the NAIA Cross Country Nationals in Vancouver, Oregon, Wilson captured fourth place in the 5,000 meters with a time of 18:53.71. Madeline Sides (SO/Denver, NC / Mid-Distance) was next in for Montreat with a time of 21:29.70. Freshman Erica Morin (FR/Liberty, TX / Mid-Distance) notched a time of 6:27.48 as the Cavaliers' representative in the mile. 

"We had strong performances in a number of areas and we got a glimpse of the talent that we have," said head coach Jason Lewkowicz. "We are definitely excited for the potential of this group and think that the sky is the limit."  

Meet Results

Next up: The Cavs are back in action on Saturday at the JDL Kickoff Classic in Winston-Salem.

Pictured: Lydia Wilson competing in the 5,000 meters at Pulliam Stadium yesterday.

Photo: Montreat Athletics