Greenville Men and a 6th Track and Field Title
Greenville University made it six straight SLIAC Men's Track and Field titles after capturing the 2023 title on Saturday with 307 team points. The Panthers took home 14 individual gold medals and one relay medal this weekend.
This weekend, Dylan Webster secured his place in conference history with a record-setting performance. Webster collected four gold medals, setting a SLIAC record for most gold at one championship, and added silver, tying the championship record for most medals in one championship with five. With his 2023 medal collection, Webster also becomes the SLIAC career leader in gold medals (7) and overall (14). Webster won gold this weekend in the high jump, long jump, triple jump, and 110-meter hurdles; setting a championship mark in the high jump (6'6.75").
Blake Thebeau also picked up multiple gold medals for the Panthers, winning both the discus and hammer throw; his first career gold medals. The Panthers swept the hammer throw with Turjon McClaurin and Matthew Binion joining Thebeau on the podium.
Giannia Estrada gave the Panthers a third athlete with multiple golds. Estrada won his third straight 5000 meters and picked up his first gold in the 10,000-meter run with a championship record time of 31:53.
Wesley Kile defended his title in the pole vault as did Kaleb Carlson in the 1500-meter run. Picking up their first golds were Colton Rich (javelin), Chase LaTouche (400 meters), and Tony Lakotich (400-meter hurdles). Returning to the top of the podium in the 100-meter dash was Greenville's Carson Rantanen, with a championship record time of 10.41 seconds. The Panthers also notched gold in the 4x400 relay thanks to the team of Claudio Trevino, Noel Andino, Joe Gomez, and Chase LaTouche.
Webster University picked up a 2nd place team finish with 93 points. The Gorloks received gold medal performances from Elijah Perez and Kaelin Triggs. Perez won the 200-meter dash with a time of 22.37 seconds while Triggs won his second straight gold in the 800 meters. The Gorloks 4x100 relay team of Steven Aubuchon, Austin Merrit, Joshua Clark, and Elijah Perez also brought home gold.
Rex Heath captured the lone gold medal for Principia College, winning the 3000 Steeplechase and becoming the first non-Greenville athlete to take the top spot in the event in six years. Principia finished 3rd in the team rankings with 89 points.
Tyree Simms sparked Fontbonne University to a 4th-place team finish, bringing home the Griffins' lone gold medal (shot put) and adding silver in the discus and bronze in the javelin.
Spalding University placed 5th with 26 points while Eureka College and Westminster College tied for 6th with 16 points and Blackburn College tallied 4 points.
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