Salem, VA - In their much-anticipated season debut, the Southern Virginia University men's and women's track and field teams put a wrap on the weekend with many impressive performances, including multiple program records. Roanoke College hosted their opening meet, the Finn Pincus Invitational, over two days, which featured mostly Division ll competition.

Day One

After the first evening of competition, Head Coach Kyle Chandler was quick to praise his team's performance. "We are off to a good start. To have two school records was fantastic. Add in the success from our women's high jump quartet and the vertical jumps, we really delivered at our first meet."

The Knights pole vaulters had tremendous success to begin the meet. Newcomers Alex Silvester and Jak Martin made an immediate impact in their collegiate debuts, each placing in the top five. In the process of finishing second, Silvester broke the school record by clearing a height of 4.61 meters (15' 1.5"). Martin was not far behind in fourth, clearing 4.46 meters (14'7.5).

Not to be overshadowed, Surraiya Mahmud left her mark in the women's pole vault with a top-ten finish. Her vault to clear 3.35 meters (10' 11.75) also displaced the previous school record to make her collegiate debut a smashing success. Her 10th-place finish was just one of five top-ten finishes for the Knights on the women's side.

Experienced jumper Mikki Prows and freshman Marin Simons finished fourth and fifth in the women's high jump. The jump was a personal best for Prows, leaving her and Simons tied for second on the program's all-time list.

Day Two

After a successful first day, particularly in the field events, the Knights began to show their worth in the track events. Joseph Hughes' performance in the men's 1,000m shined the brightest of them all. His time of 2:34.83 dismantled the previous school record by nearly two seconds. Hughes picks up where right we left off last season when he littered his name in the program's record books.

In the long sprints, Zeke Newman delivered a quality run in the men's 400m by finishing ninth in 51.74. One Knight who's no stranger to the 400m, Folole Torres, showcased her versatility by competing well in the 200m and 60m hurdles. Her 9.84 time gave her a top-ten finish, placing her second on the program's all-time. The reigning conference champion in the 400m hurdles from the outdoor season will again be a huge asset in Southern Virginia's quest to repeat as team champions.

Bayleigh Redd and Elizabeth Dalebout placed the highest amongst the women on day two, finishing in fourth and fifth, respectively, in the 800. Senior Kedryn Chandler finished fifth in the men's 800m in a personal best time of 2:01.99. Another notable performance came from Andee Nelson in the women's long jump. Her attempt of 4.88 meters (16' 0.25") places her second in program history and caps an impressive for the Knights' newcomers.

The team will return to work in short order when they attend the VMI Invitational on January 24-25th. The meet will feature many of the best programs throughout the region. To view a meet schedule and other information on the team for next week's meet, visit knightathletics.com and follow @knightxctf on Instagram.

Men's Top Ten Finishers - Finn Pincus Invitational

• Alex Silvester 2nd Place Pole Vault 4.61 meters / 15' 1.5"

• Joseph Hughes 3rd place 1000 meters 2:34.83 / 2:33.10

• Jak Martin 4th Place Pole Vault 4.46 meters / 14' 7.5"

• Kedryn Chandler 5th place 800 meters 2:01.99 / 2:00.26

• Tayson Farar 5th place 1000 meters 2:44.30 / 2:42.57

• Brennen Bowman 6th place 1000 meters 2:45.41 / 2:43.68

• Garrett Rogers 8th place 1000 meters 2:47.91 / 2:46.18

• Ezekiel Newman 9th place 400 meters 51.74 / 50.92

Men's Indoor Top Ten Program Marks

• #1 School Record Joseph Hughes 1000 meters 2:34.83 / 2:33.10

• #1 School Record Alex Silvester Pole Vault 4.61 meters / 15' 1.5"

• #2 Ezekiel Newman 400 meters 51.74 / 50.92

• #3 Ezekiel Newman Long Jump 6.25 meters / 20' 6.25"

• #3 Jak Martin Pole Vault 4.46 meters / 14' 7.5"

• #4 Cliff Bastow Pole Vault 4.01 meters / 13' 1.75"

• #4 Blake Taylor Long Jump 6.24 meters / 20' 5.75"

• #6 Tayson Farar 1000 meters 2:44.30 / 2:42.57

• #6 Jakaidyn Ross 600 meters 1:40.30 / 1:39.05

• #6 Jakaidyn Ross Triple Jump 12.30 meters / 40' 4.25"

• #7 Blake Taylor 60 meters 7.28

• #7 Kedryn Chandler 800 meters 2:01.99 / 2:00.26

• #7 Brennen Bowman 1000 meters 2:45.41 / 2:43.68

• #8 Isaac Armstrong Long Jump 6.00 meters / 19' 8.25"

Women's Top Ten Finishers - Finn Pincus Invitational

• Bayleigh Redd 3rd place 800 meters 2:33.04

• Elizabeth Dalebout 4th place 800 meters 2:36.01

• Mikki Prows 4th Place High Jump 1.55 meters / 5' 1"

• Marin Simons 5th Place High Jump 1.55 meters / 5' 1"

• Hailey Matthews 7th Place 600 meters 2:00.66

• Folole Torres 8th Place 60m Hurdles 9.84

• Elyssa Holman 8th Place High Jump 1.50 meters / 4' 11"

• Surraiya Mahmud 10th Place Pole Vault 3.35 meters / 10' 11.75"

• #1 School Record Surraiya Mahmud Pole Vault 3.35 meters / 10' 11.75"

• #2 Mikki Prows High Jump 1.55 meters / 5' 1"

• #2 Marin Simons High Jump 1.55 meters / 5' 1"

• #2 Andee Nelson Long Jump 4.88 meters / 16' 0.25"

• #2 Folole Torres  60m Hurdles 9.84

• #3 Folole Torres 200 meters 27.33 / 26.90

• #4 Elyssa Holman High Jump 1.50 meters / 4' 11"

• #4 Hailey Matthews 600 meters 2:00.66

• #6 Elise Curtis High Jump 1.45 meters / 4' 9"

• #7 Mikki Prows Weight Throw 11.07 meters / 36' 4"

• #9 Emmalee Gabrylczyk 1000 meters 3:32.50 / 3:30.80

• #9 Mikki Prows Shot Put 9.88 meters / 32' 5"

• #10 Maia Hunt 200 meters 28.94 / 28.50