DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Over 400 athletes turned out to the 2010 ERAU Challenge Saturday afternoon, with the Eagles showcasing their strength and talent in their first meet of the indoor season.
Freshmen Samia Adan and Leon Robinson highlighted the day's events, sweeping the podium in all four of their combined events.
Adan qualified for an "A" standard in the 600m run as she crossed the finish line ahead of 14 other competitors with a time of 1:37.54. She also aided the women's 4x800m relay team to a "B" standard finish of 9:49.60, also good for first place.
Robinson managed a "B" standard in the 60m, surpassing all 36 other runners in the event with a time of 6.98. His performance in the 200m was impressive as well, as he clocked in at 22.30, faster than the entire field of 49.
Returner Sam Vazquez turned in a solid performance in the mile, notching a new ERAU record with an "A" standard time of 4:20.46. He also assisted in the men's 4x400m relay along with teammates Kevin Bray, Brian Laing, and Laquardo Newbold, finishing first over 14 other relay teams in a "B" standard time of 3:20.03. Bray also notched a "B" standard in the 600m, clocking in at 1:22.55.
Sophomore Evans Kirwa raced his way to an "A" standard in his first meet of the season, as he crossed the finish line over 20 seconds faster than any of his opponents in the 5,000m with a time of 15:07.32.
In the hurdles, freshman Breanna Goring made her debut as an Eagle and surpassed the 60m hurdle record with a time of 9.62.
The Eagles notched some impressive performances on the field as well, with Bobby Thomas making a name for himself in the ERAU record books, throwing 13.68m in the shot put and 15.18m in the weight throw, and Nikki Lykens besting her own school record in the weight throw with a distance of 11.00m.
The ERAU pole vaulters had success in their opening meet as well, as Spencer Wade picked up a "B" standard, vaulting his way to a height of 4.60m, and Craig Milliard recorded a personal best height of 3.70m.
The Eagles will be back in action next weekend as they head to the University of Florida to compete in the Jimmy Carnes Invitational on Saturday, Jan. 30.
