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The High Point University men’s and women’s track and field teams hosted the 18th edition of the VertKlasse Meeting at Vert Stadium during the weekend of April 4-5. The Panthers welcomed 40+ schools to High Point for the two-day meet.
On day two, High Point had a variety of strong performances from different event groups. VertKlasse also witnessed unique races including a 5000m racewalk, a kids race and a boys and girls steeplechase competition. Ahead of the running events, fans had the privilege of listening to Greg Amos perform the National Anthem on the saxophone.
Starting off the field events, Caleb Barley and Alex Hoffman made the finals in the men’s shot put and placed sixth and ninth respectively. Barley threw 16.18m while Hoffman threw 15.89m.
Gianna Paul was crowned the winner of the women’s high jump, jumping 1.72m. She then turned around and ran as the third leg of the women’s 4x100m relay team. She helped the team pick up a first-place win, clocking a 45.21 time for a new program record and meet record. Along with Paul, the team consisted of Ashari Pearson, Dae’Nitra Hester, and Quiana Williams who took it home on the final 100m stretch.
Following up the women’s first place school record in the 4x100m, the men’s 4x100m relay team also broke the school record, breaking sub 40 for a 39.89 time. The group consisted of Myles Darroch, Marquis Belle, Dominiq Northington and Keshon Sapp.
Alex Constantinou added to the program records for the day in the men’s high jump, clearing 2.16m to place first overall. In the men’s triple jump, Mobu Nwakor placed tenth with a 14.00m jump.
Williams had a strong run in the women’s 100m race and clocked an 11.56 for third place. In the men’s 110m hurdles, Dominq Northington clocked a season-best 14.01 time to place fourth.
Nikki Frail laid it all out on the track for the women’s 800m race and broke the program record which stood since 2021. She also set a meet record with her 2:07.04 time to finish first. Pacing right behind her, Evie Wild crossed in third place with a personal best 2:11.47 time. In the men’s 800m, Jake Weakland took third with a personal best 1:52.68 time.
In the men’s pole vault, two Panthers recorded personal bests placing in the top 10. Jackson Toumey jumped 5.15m to place fourth while Jason Olivera Jr. placed eighth and cleared 5.00m. In Ricardo Montes de Oca’s first outdoor meet, he placed fifth and cleared 5.15m. In the women’s pole vault, Sydney Horn had the best day for the Panthers clearing 4.32m to take second place.
The men’s 4x400m relay team placed first after gaining a large lead through the final two laps. The team was led by Belle, Camerin Williams, Sapp and Tim Brown who helped clock a 3:09.66 time which was three tenths of a second shy from breaking the program record (3:09.33, 2001).
Aiden Morrison posted a first-place finish in the men’s steeplechase with a 9:13.15 time. Crossing shortly after, Evan Mills placed second with a season best 9:38.27 time.
Rounding out the final running event of the day, Gavin Stevens took first place in the men’s 5000m with a 15:00.66 time. Klaus Mangeot also placed in the top five with a 15:26.59 time.
UP NEXT:
High Point will be spread across three meets this weekend going to the Bryan Clay Combined Events meet in Azusa, Calif., the Duke Invitational in Durham, N.C. and the Southside Power Invite in Hickory, N.C.
