SALEM, Va. - The WildCats traveled to Salem, Va. for the Joe LaRocco Invitational hosted by Roanoke College on Saturday and posted all-around performances

In the 60-meter prelims, the WildCats placed nine athletes in the field, with Ja'mar Smith leading the way by finishing fourth in 7.08 seconds to advance to the semifinals. Jeff Mendscole (7.13), Jahlil Weekes (7.15, PR), and James McLean (7.26) also qualified, joined by Kyle Kurtz (7.30, PR) and Leander Jackson (7.34). Immanuel Williams and Savion Thomas, along with Xavier Calloway, rounded out the Wildcats' competitors with solid efforts.

The momentum continued in the 60-meter semifinals, where Smith clocked a 7.05 to place fifth and advance. Weekes followed with another personal record at 7.11, while McLean added a PR of his own with a 7.15. Mendscole narrowly missed advancing with a time of 7.21, and Kurtz recorded another personal best at 7.28 in the semifinals. Jackson also competed in the semifinal round, finishing in 7.39.

In the 60-meter finals, Weekes took fifth place with a personal record of 7.07 and McLean followed in seventh with a personal record of 7.16.

McLean led the WildCats in the 200-meter dash with a 22.73 for second place. L. Jackson followed with a 23.16 for sixth place. Emir Jackson was right behind in seventh place with a 23.28 and Christian Humes placed 10th in 23.42. Weekes came through with a personal record of 23.62. Mendscole clocked a 23.64, Kurtz came in at 23.93, and Williams rounded out the team with 23.98.

In the 400-meter dash, E. Jackson was the runner-up with 51.87. Humes came right behind in 52.01, and Landon Petcher clocked a 53.80.

Aiden Bartulis led the 800-meter squad with a 2:08.68. Jacob Johnson came through with a 2:12.67. Ariel Huseni made his debut running a time of 2:14.69 to set a personal record.

Edward Koroma represented the WildCats in the 1 mile running a time of 4:49.86.

In the 60-meter hurdles prelims, Smith qualified with a time of 8.69. Ethan Fisher also competed in the event, posting a time of 9.34.

In the field, Thomas jumped into ninth place in the long jump with a 6.29 meter mark. Calloway jumped a season-best of 6.25 meters. Kyron Gault soared in for 6.11 meters, and Ashton Jackson jumped  5.99 meters.

Thomas took fourth place in the triple jump with a mark of 12.83 meters and Calloway came in seventh with 12.32 meters.

Jayden Watkins took first place in the Pole Vault with a personal and school record of 4.67 meters. Peyton Jackson and A. Jackson both cleared 3.62 meters.

Xavier White and Julio Alvarenga competed in the shot put with White throwing 12.07 meters and Alvarenga throwing 10.47 meters. White also competed in the weight throw and threw a mark of 15.96 meters for a new school record.

Closing out the meet was L. Jackson, Humes, Petcher, and E. Jackson in the 4x400-meter relay with a 3:28.83 for second place.

The WildCats will now prepare for the 2026 ODAC Indoor Track & Field Championships on Feb. 28-March 1 at Roanoke College.