(Toledo, OH) - The Concordia Men's Track and Field team opened their outdoor season on Saturday at the University of Toledo Collegiate Challenge Track Meet. This meet was hosted by the University of Toledo and contained mainly Division 1 schools competing. There was a total of twelve schools competing and the Cardinals did well against the tough competition.

The Cards top performer for the day was senior, Martell Buchanan. Buchanan competed in three events; the 200 meter, the 400 meter, and the 4 x 100 meter relay. He placed 5^th in the 200 with a PR (personal record) time of 22.45 and 3^rd in the 400 meter with a time of 49.75. He also ran a solid anchor leg of the 4 x 100 meter relay. Head Coach Steve Montgomery stated that "Martell had a great opening day. He started out the day by running an excellent anchor leg in the relay. Then he ran his second best 400 meter time ever. Then he finished up the day by running his PR in the 200 meter. I couldn't have asked for anything more. He is poised to have an outstanding season," Montgomery added.

Also competing in the sprinting events was sophomore, Caleb Mims. Mims ran the lead off leg of the 4 x 100, the 100 meter dash, and the 200 meter dash. He took 6^th place in the 100 meter and 7^th place in the 200 meter, just behind Buchanan, running a time of 22.6. "Caleb got us off to a good start in the 4 x 100 relay and had two solid races in the 100 and the 200 meter," said Coach Montgomery. "He won his heat of the 100 and looked very strong in that event," he added.

Also in the 4 x 100 meter relay were junior, Ryan Walton and sophomore, Rashad Smith. "All the guys on the relay ran well today, however, we have some work to do on our hand offs," said Montgomery.

In the throwing events the Cardinals top performers were freshmen, Jordan Foster in the javelin and junior, Eric Frisco in the hammer throw. Foster's best throw of the day was 46.73 or 153'4", which earned him 8^th place in the meet, and 5^th on the Concordia all-time best list. Frisco threw a school record throw in the hammer with a 30.17, or 98'10". "I was pleasantly surprised by how well Foster threw the javelin today," Montgomery said. "I knew he had it in him, I just didn't know if he knew he had it in him," he added. Montgomery also stated that "Frisco is really coming along nicely in what is a brand new event for him and all the throwers." Freshmen, Stone Hadley was the Cards top shot putter and discus thrower, with throws of 12.57 or41'3"and 35.4 or 116'2" respectively. The shot put throw places him 4^th on the Concordia all-time best list. Also in the discus was junior Nathan Alderson, his best throw of the day being a 34.12, or 111'10".

In the distance events, the Cardinals top runner was freshmen, Ryan Bellquist-Ledger, who ran a respectable time of 4:34.19 in the 1500 meter. "Ryan is just coming back from a serious injury," Montgomery stated. "He did well today considering that he has only been back to training for a few weeks," he added. Also competing in the 1500 meter was freshmen, Alex Kitchin, who ran a PR time of 4:39.56. "We were super excited that Alex ran his PR today. He has been training really well these past few weeks" said Montgomery.

"Overall I'd say we had a good day today," Coach Montgomery stated. "This was our first outdoor meet of the season. If today is any indication, I think we are going to have a good outdoor season," he said. The Cardinals' next meet is April 7^th at Michigan State University. Good luck Cards.