NAPERVILLE, Ill. - The men's track and field team kicked off the new year by competing in the Cardinal Opener hosted by North Central College. The Cougars finished fifth of six teams.

Notable Performances

• On the track, Miguel Sanchez (San Antonio, Texas) took third in the 400m with a time of 51.99. Jamel Goins (Columbus, Ohio) took ninth in the same event with a time of 54.32.
• In the pole vault, Dayton Merli (Union Mills, Ind.) set a personal best mark of 3.80m (12' 5.5") to finish fourth.
• Matthew Cardwell (Cincinnati, Ohio) took seventh in the high jump with a personal best leap of 1.58m (5' 2.25").
• Jayden Taylor (Southfield, Mich.) finished sixth in the long jump with a mark of 6.45m (21' 2").

Cougar Personal Records

• Nathaniel Boksa set a personal best time of 2:24.99 in the 800m.
• In the 60m dash, John Cano (North Riverside, Ill.) ran a PR of 7.63.
• Darius Strother (Joliet, Ill.) ran a 25.94 in the 200m.
• Three Cougars set personal bests in the weight throw. CJ Morris (Douglasville, Ga.), Travon Thomas (Wauchula, Fla.), and Brandon Montford (Fairburn, Ga.) threw for 9.79m (32' 1.5"), 10.47m (34' 4.25"), and 11.69m (38' 4.25"), respectively.
• In the long jump, two Cougars made personal best leaps. Julian Switzer (Lake in the Hills, Ill.) jumped 6.03m (19' 9.5") and Cardwell jumped 6.07m (19' 11").

Concordia heads back to Naperville next Saturday, January 18. The Cougars will compete in the Heenan Invitational, hosted by North Central College.