Posted: Apr 21, 2025

Haskell Indian Nations Wins Tight Race for CAC Men’s Outdoor Track & Field Championship

The inaugural Continental Athletic Conference Men's Outdoor Track & Field Championship was decided by the results of the meet's final event, with Haskell Indian Nations University (Kansas) edging Spartanburg Methodist College (South Carolina) for the team title on Monday at the Ansin Sports Complex, hosted by Florida National University.

Haskell Indian Nations' 187 points was seven more than second-place Spartanburg Methodist (180). Florida College followed with 130 points while Florida National University had 126 points to round out the team standings.

RESULTS

Points distributed by performances in the 4-x-400-meter relay race decided the title. Haskell Indian Nations came into the event leading Spartanburg Methodist by five points. HINU placed second in the race, one position ahead of the Pioneers' third-place finish.

Overall, Haskell Indian Nations won five events, with four top finishes across the field events. Individual winners for the team were: Junior Charles Mason in the hammer throw (38.40 meters) and shot put (13.72 meters), junior Eli Adams in the discus (41.10 meters), freshman Jerron Shield in the javelin throw (47.12 meters), and sophomore Dyami Berridge, in the 1,500 meter run (4:04.03).

Adams was named the CAC's Field Athlete of the Year while Coach Clay Mayes earned Coach of the Year honors.

Spartanburg Methodist won four events, all by sophomore team members: Romeo Brown in the 100-meter dash (10.53 seconds) and 200-meter dash (21.43 seconds), Parker Balog in the 400-meter hurdles (59.57 seconds), and Ryan Hunter in the 3,000-meter steeplechase (11:02.85).

Balog's performance earned him the CAC Track Athlete of the Year honor.

Brown also ran the anchor leg on the Pioneers' victorious 4-x-100-meter relay team (41.80), joining Javion Brannon, Jared Chinloy and Balog.

Florida National was led by sophomore Mario Martinez, winning three events: 400-meter dash (49.96 seconds), 800-meter run (1:55.92) and long jump (6.09 meters). Freshman Wenceslao Ferrin Arias was first in 110-meter hurdles (15.63 seconds) and high jump (1.77 meters) – earning CAC Newcomer of the Year honors.

Florida College freshman Sam Johnson won the 5,000-meter run (16:12.28) and the Falcons' 4-x-800-meter relay team of Avery Sisco, Steven Ritchie, John Cook and Daniel Collins was victorious in 9:04.79.