Racic and Calcano Lead Men's Indoor Team at AACs
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - The Columbia College men's indoor track and field team has crowned one champ at the AAC Indoor Championships on Monday and Tuesday at the JDL Fast Track.
The Koala men have also crowned one champ so far in senior race walker Dorde Racic as he came in first out of 7 with a time of 12:58 on Tuesday morning to qualify for NAIA Nationals. It was his season-best time and third-best in the NAIA while also an AAC meet record. Junior teammate Kristian Sanchez also placed 5th in 19:22.
Sophomore sprinter Willy Calcano also ran well finishing 6th in the 60 meter Dash Finals in a time of 7.15 seconds and was 7th in the prelims with a time of 7.06. Also competing in the 60m prelims was Patterson and freshman William Smith as they placed 15th and 16th with times just under 7.2 seconds. Freshman Dominick Young also placed 20th in 7.28 sec.
In the men's weight throw Monday night, senior Daylon McDonald led the way placing 10th with a throw of 13.46 meters while senior teammate Gavin Rice was right behind in 11th place out of 19 with a throw of 13.1 meters. Men's triple jumper, sophomore Tyler Dixon then finished 6th in the finals with a mark of 11.8 meters.
In the Shot Put on Tuesday, junior Geo Tobias led the Koalas placing 8th out of 15 with a throw of 12.1 meters (39 ft) while Sam Ah Ping and Rice were 12th and 15th respectively. Ah Ping had a throw of 11.4 meters while Rice was at 11.1 meters.
In the men's 400 meters, senior Xavier Linen led the way finishing 5th overall in 51.3 seconds while sophomore Kimarje White came in 7th in 52 seconds. Columbia had 7 men compete in the 400 with four placing in the top 10 in the 20-man field. Coming in a tie for 8th place was freshman Tristen Patterson in just under 53 seconds (52.96) while fellow freshmen Ashton Pouncie and Ryan Flowers were 10th and 11th in 53.15 and 53.2 seconds respectively. Junior Caleb Bailey also ran the 400 and came in 13th in 53.5 seconds.
During the men's 200 meter dash on Tuesday, Calcano led the way placing 5th out of 26 with a time of 22.9 seconds while Linen also made the top 10 coming in a tie for 9th at 23.2 seconds. Patterson was right behind him in 11th at 23.27 seconds. White also placed 16th in 23.56 seconds while Bailey was 22nd in 24.1.