Lady Panthers Second, Panthers in Third on First Day of 2025 CIAA Outdoor Track & Field Championship Meet
DURHAM, NC - The Claflin University men's and women's track & field teams began their quest for championship gold, Friday, when the team kicked off the 2025 Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Outdoor Track & Field Championship Meet. When day one was completed, the Lady Panthers stood in second place with 31 total points while the Panthers are in third place with 37 total points.
The Lady Panthers got off to a strong start with some great early efforts at the meet. The team put on some great performances in field events on the opening day of the meet. Claflin sophomore Zhaire Mack led the way with a second-place finish in the women's javelin throw. She placed second in the event with a 121' 11" (31.16m) throw. Claflin sophomore Jhynia Knuckles had a great day of her own with a second-place finish in the women's long jump. She recorded a 19'6.25" (5.95m) jump to place second at the meet.
In addition to some great field event showings, the team also had some great performances on the track in preliminary events. Claflin will send a host of Lady Panthers into the final rounds of their events. Freshman Morgan Coverson-Springs placed second in the preliminary rounds of the women's 200m dash with a 24.21. Sophomore Jadah Rasool placed second in the preliminaries of the women's 100m dash when she ran an 11.91. Coverson-Springs also qualified for the finals with a fifth-place finish and a 12.02 in the event. Sophomore Obiageli Akubude added a third-place finish in the preliminaries of the women's 100m hurdles. She recorded a 14.03 in the event to earn a space in the event finals.
Not to be outdone, the Panthers also had some great showings. In field events, the Panthers saw some solid efforts. Claflin senior Alon Barksdale and freshman Javonta Simon tied for fourth in the men's high jump with a 6'6.25" (1.99m) mark. Senior Quandarious Patrick added a fourth-place finish in the men's long jump. He hit a 23'2.75" (7.08m) jump. Freshman Jeremiah Smith added a fourth-place finish in the men's pole vault when he hit an 11" 1.75" (3.40m) mark in the event.
It was on the track where the Panthers really made their mark with several team members qualifying for the finals of their respective events. The Panthers dominated the prelims of the men's 800m run with four qualifiers. Junior Reginald Gore led the way placing fourth in the event with a 1:58.66. Fellow junior Jakarriez Sanders placed fifth in the event with a 1:59.12. Sophomore Ivan Taylor added a sixth-place finish with a 1:59.19 and senior Zion Murry placed seventh with a 1:59.23. The Panthers also sent three to the finals of the men's 400m run. Junior Jaevon Riley won the prelims with a 47.90. Freshman Nino Brown came in third with a 48.07. In the men's 400m hurdles, Riley placed second with a 53.32 while junior Marcus Thomason placed third with a 53.70. In the men's 200m prelims, the Panthers had a pair of qualifiers. Senior Romar Stapleton placed second in the event with a 21.21 and senior Quadarious Patrick added an eighth-place finish with a 21.61. Stapleton wasn't done when the placed first in the men's 100m dash with a 10.21. In the men's 110m hurdles, senior Darius Holmes placed fifth in the prelims with a 15.02.
The Lady Panthers and Panthers will return to Durham County Memorial Stadium to compete in day two of the 2025 CIAA Men's & Women's Outdoor Track & Field Championship Meet.
For more information on Claflin University track & field, contact the Claflin University Office of Athletics Media Relations at (803) 535-5548 or log on to athletics.claflin.edu.
