LYNCHBURG, Va. - The Randolph College men's track and field team opened the 2025 indoor season with a strong showing at the Liberty Kickoff Open on Saturday, highlighted by multiple top-eight finishes, standout first-year debuts, and a pair of impressive relay performances.

Leading the way was first-year Savion Thomas, who turned in two top-eight finishes in an impressive collegiate debut. Thomas placed sixth in the triple jump with a mark of 13.41m (43'11 ¾") and added an eighth-place finish in the long jump invite at 6.50m (21'3 ¾"). He also competed in the 60m dash, clocking 7.37 seconds in prelims.

Senior Jayden Watkins delivered one of the top field-event results of the meet for Randolph, clearing 4.40m (14'5") to finish second in the pole vault lower section with a new school record indoors.

The WildCats placed another athlete in the top eight of the long jump, as first-year Kyron Gault leapt to 6.46m (21'2 ¼") to earn eighth place. First-year Ashton Jackson also competed in the event, recording a mark of 5.87m (19'3").

On the track, junior Eric West posted one of the strongest overall performances of the day, finishing fourth in the 400m dash with a time of 48.82 for a new school record and personal best indoors and placing fifth in the 200m dash at 22.04 for a new school record and personal best indoors. West also ran 7.12 seconds in the 60m dash prelims.

First-year Emir Jackson and junior Christian Humes added depth to Randolph's sprint crew. Jackson ran 50.73 seconds in the 400m and 22.85 seconds in the 200m, while Humes crossed in 50.91 seconds for the 400m and 23.64 seconds in the 200m. Sophomore Landon Petcher (52.90 / 23.77) and junior Benjamin Bublitz (54.21 / 24.17) also opened their seasons in both events.

The WildCats had a strong turnout in the 60m dash prelims, with first-years Jahlil Weeks (7.33), James McLean (7.18), Jeff Mendscole (7.19), Leander Jackson (7.24), Immanuel Williams (7.39), and Thomas all lining up alongside West. Weeks and fellow first-year Johan Arends also competed in the 60m hurdles, recording times of 9.99 and 9.10 seconds, respectively. Arends added a 39.39-second performance in the 300m dash.

In the throwing events, sophomore Xavier White led the throwers with a 13.03m (42 '8 ¾") mark in the weight throw and 11.73m (38' 5 ¾") in the shot put. Sophomore Julio Alvarenga added a 10.85m (35'7") effort in the shot put.

On the track, first-years Christopher Wills (500m – 1:12.16 school record; 200m – 24.64), Jacob Johnson (800m – 2:14.07), Aiden Bartulis (800m – 2:15.59), and Edward Koroma (3000m – 10:06.52) all made strong early-season appearances.

Randolph capped the meet with two competitive showings in the 4x400m relay. The A team of West, Humes, Petcher, and Jackson placed fifth in 3:25.00, while the B team of Bublitz, Johnson, Wills, and Arends finished in 3:41.18.

The WildCats are back on the track in the new year on Jan. 9 at the The Burg Open hosted by University of Lynchburg at the Liberty Indoor Track Complex.