Warriors qualify for NCCAA nationals, first chance they get

Sterling College Indoor Track and Field team got off to a strong start in the new year at the Friends University First Chance Qualifier with multiple NCCAA national qualifying performances.

Maurice Gray exceeded the NCCAA national qualifying standard in the long jump where he placed fourth with a leap of 6.67 m (21-10.5).

Freshman Blake Robertson had another strong performance in the weighted throw and shot put which earned him NCCAA Field Athlete of the Week for the second time this season. He placed third in the weighted throw with a heave of 13.17 m (43-3) and fifth in the shot put with a throw of 13.29 m (43-7.25). Both of these throws exceed the NCCAA national qualifying standards.

Other Warrior competitors in the weight throw include Brayden Kermode and Malachi Bell who placed ninth and 11th with throws of 11.19 m (36-9) and 10.14 m (33-3), respectively.

Bell and Kermode also competed in the shot put where they went eighth and 16th with heaves of 12.04 m (39-6) and 10.63 (34-10.5), respectively.

On the track, Daryen Jefferson finished fifth in the one mile run with a time of 4:41.65. Jefferson also competed in the 3000 m run where he ran a time of 9:46.66 to place sixth.

For the women, Janie Perico and Audrey Blake competed in the one mile run. Perico finished eighth with a time of 6:35.58 and Blake placed 11th running a 7:34.60.

The Warriors will be back in action Friday, Jan. 17 at the Washburn Rust Buster.

Be sure to check for news and updates on Sterling Warrior Athletics on Facebook (/SCWarriors), Twitter (@SterlingCSports), and Instagram (sterlingcsports), as well as the hashtag #SwordsUp. Watch the Warriors' live home events on the Sterling College Sports Network.