Barry Franklin photo courtesy of West Virginia Wesleyan
Barry Franklin of West Virginia Wesleyan College and Lance McDaniel of Concord University came into the Duke University Invitational ranked #1 and #2 in the WVIAC Conference 3000m Steeplechase. Franklin, ranked #1, had the previous West Virginia Wesleyan College Steeplechase record of 9:37.41. Franklin has also set personal bests marks in his last 5 races. McDaniel's previous best steeplechase time was 9:50 and the Concord University record was 9:46.60 set by Ryan Kent in 2008. On Saturday, Franklin and McDaniel were in the same heat and both set school records as Franklin's school record time was 9:34.51 while McDaniel closed the gap on the two and set the Mountain Lions new record in 9:38.50. This looks to be one of the highly contested events at the WVIAC Conference championship.
Lance McDaniel after breaking the Concord 3000m Steeplechase record
Shawnee Carnett of Concord University continues to impress and break records when she steps on the track. Carnett won the 3rd heat of the 800m run by passing the entire field on the last lap as she went around the field in the 3rd lane in the first two turns and accelerated past everyone to stake her claim to another lady Mountain Lion record with a 2:12.34.
Megan Savioli of Concord University who is a powerful runner that gets up on her toes and goes did just that as she set the new Concord University 400m hurdle record in1:09.98.
Other West Virginia Wesleyan school records were set by Meghan Zayas in the steeplechase (11:09.57), Morgan Bennett in the 400 meter hurdles (64.02), and Kevoy Douglas in the 200 meter dash (21.67).
Glenville State College also had a runner break a record on the day. Glenville State’s Ahkeem Figgs broke the Men’s 100 Meter dash with a time of 10.62 at the W& J Invitational, the record was held by GSC Chup Robinson and Xavier Glenn with a time of 10.69.