Mountaineers Make Waves at Raleigh Relays: New School Records Set!
Exciting Performances in the First Day of Competition
The atmosphere at Raleigh, North Carolina, was electric as the App State men’s and women’s track & field teams kicked off the Raleigh Relays with a bang on Thursday. The day was nothing short of historic, featuring a pair of record-breaking performances that will be etched in the university’s athletics history.
Ethan Turner Shatters the 5,000 Meters Record
In a display of sheer determination, graduate student Ethan Turner dominated the men’s 5,000 meters, clocking an astonishing 14:08.07. Not only did he secure a personal best, but he also set a new program record, surpassing the previous mark of 14:18.05 established by Garrett Bivens last spring. Turner’s incredible achievement placed him 94th among 213 competitors, a feat that speaks volumes about his skill and perseverance.
But he wasn’t alone in breaking barriers; freshman Henry Stark and Thomas Wlazlowski also made their mark, finishing second and third in the all-time App State rankings with impressive times of 14:10.86 and 14:14.87, respectively.
Calbert Guest Sets a New Benchmark in the 10,000 Meters
Not to be outdone, redshirt senior Calbert Guest achieved a personal best and a new school record in the men’s 10,000 meters, clocking 29:12.85. The previous record of 29:39.31, set by Isaac Benz in 2023, has now been officially surpassed. Guest’s strong finish placed him 72nd overall, while senior Oliver Wilson-Cook also celebrated a personal best of 29:47.64, ranking him third on the all-time list.
Impressive Results in Other Events
The exhilaration didn’t stop there! In the men’s 1,500 meters, junior Ethan Lipham rounded out the top 50 with a personal best of 3:47.12, remaining fifth in the App State’s all-time rankings.
In field events, freshman Christopher Stewart showcased his talent in the men’s shot put, reaching a distance of 15.21m (49′ 11"), landing him in the top 20. Freshman Dennis Mowatt Jr. and junior Jeremiah Burch Jr. also put forth commendable efforts, placing 39th and 42nd, respectively. In the men’s javelin, senior Jake Stanley placed 30th with a throw of 46.10m (151′ 3").
On the women’s side, freshmen Brittany Ellis and Emily Edwards finished the shot put competition in 44th and 45th with marks of 11.58m (38′ 0") and 11.42m (37′ 5.75"), respectively, with Edwards setting a personal record.
What’s Next for the Mountaineers?
As the Raleigh Relays continue, there’s a buzz of excitement as competitors gear up for the next set of events. Action will resume on Friday at 9:45 a.m. with field events, and track events are scheduled to kick off at 11:45 a.m..
Stay tuned as the Mountaineers look to build on their impressive start and possibly shatter more records in the days to come! For more insights and updates on the track and field season, visit App State Athletics.
