Black Mountain, N.C. – Under sunny skies and in moderate tempatures, the Montreat Cavaliers men's track & field team kicked off their 2017-2018 indoor season in fine form yesterday at Pulliam Stadium.

Event winners on the men's side included junior Elijah Mitchell (JR/Milledgeville, GA / Sprints) posting a school record in the 600m (1:19.26), as well as earning a trip to the NAIA Indoor Nationals, by bettering the NAIA Nationals "A" standard. 

Senior Daniel Lancaster (SR/Wilmington, NC / Mid-Distance) took first place in the storied mile distance with a 4:31.86. Rylan Hincher (JR/Wilkesboro, NC / Distance) took first in the 3,000m (9:33.31) and then turned right around for a strong showing in the 5,000m with a 15:58.83, good for third overall.

Freshman Ernest King Jr. (FR/Asheville, NC / Jumps) gave notice to the collegiate circuit of his arrival by winning, and posting school records, in the long jump (6.35m) and the triple jump (13.41). The same could be said of freshman Joshua Auvil, who set school records in the shot put (13.66m) and weight throw (12.75m). Troy Lieberman (FR/Columbus, NC / Pole Vault) set the school record in the pole vault (3.98m) and finished second overall in the competion.

Other performances of note included Joseph Wilson (FR/Concord, NC / Sprints) (6.30m) finishing second in the long jump, and Jacob Prater (FR/Westminster, SC / Jumps) taking second in the triple jump with a 13.8m effort.

"We were blessed to have great weather today and the team came through with some solid results," said head coach Jason Lewkowicz. "This meet was a chance for the distance runners to get one more race in before taking the post-cross country break and for the field event athletes to get their feet wet before we gear up for the heart of track season."

Meet Results

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

Pictured: Warm weather and clear skies greeted runners yesterday at Pulliam Stadium.

Photo: Montreat Athletics