LYNCHBURG, Va. - The Randolph College men's track and field team made the short trip to Liberty University for the Liberty Open.

The highlight of the meet for the WildCats came from Jayden Watkins in the pole vault high pit group, in which he placed sixth with another indoor new school record with a height of 4.60 meters. That mark is a new Division III #18.

In the 60m prelims, first-year Ja'Mar Smith led the way with a time of 7.09, pacing a deep WildCat group. Kyle Kurtz turned in a personal-best 7.35, while James McLean, Jeff Mendscole, Savion Thomas, Leander Jackson, Jahlil Weekes, and Immanuel Williams all posted competitive times in a crowded field.

Smith also doubled back in the 60m hurdles, finishing in 8.72, with Ethan Fisher clocking 9.55 in the prelims.

On the track, Edward Koroma recorded a personal-best 4:45.70 in the mile. Koroma also saw time in the 1000m in which he ran 2:50.31, just over his personal best of 2:50.21. Aiden Bartulis finished the 800-meter run in a personal best of 2:12.59. Teammates, Ariel Huseni clocked a 2:16.87, and Jacob Johnson posted a 2:17.03.

In the 400-meter dash, Emir Jackson paced the group of WildCats with a time fo 50.84. Christian Humes clocked a 51.15, Christopher Wills was in at 54.02 for a personal best, and Landon Petcher crossed the line in 54.54.

E. Jackson posted a time of 22.83 seconds in the 200 meters. McLean (22.94) and L. Jackson (23.23) followed closely behind. Wills and Williams each recorded personal-best performances with times of 23.81 and 23.85, respectively.

The squad of McLean, Humes, Petcher, and E. Jackson finished out the track events in the 4x400-meter relay with a time of 3:27.61 for 12th place in a stacked field.

In the field events, Julio Alvarenga placed eighth in the shot put low circle with a season-best throw of 10.94 meters (35-10.75). Alvarenga also tossed a 10.94-meter throw (35-10.75) in the shot put low circle. Xavier White competed in the shot put main circle and threw a mark of 12.01m (39-05.00). White also competed in the weight throw and put down a mark of 13.85 meters (45-05.25) and threw 12.01 meters (39-05.00) in the shot put main circle.

Ashton Jackson led the WildCats in the long jump with a 6.40 meters (21-00.00) mark. He was followed by Thomas in 6.34 meters (20-09.75), Xavier Calloway in 5.82 meters (19-01.25), and Kyron Gault in 5.66 meters (18-07.00). Thomas and Calloway also competed in the triple jump, with Thomas at 12.96 meters (42-06.25) and Calloway at 12.33 meters (40-05.50).

In the Pole Vault low pit, Peyton Jackson finished with a height of 3.70 meters (12-01.50), a new season-best.

The team will travel back to Salem, Va., for the Bast-Cregger Invitational hosted by Roanoke College on Jan. 30-31.