Date Posted: 5/11/2007

Johnson City, Tenn. – Picking up just where they left off in 2006, the Gardner-Webb men’s squad jumped out to an early lead at the 2007 Atlantic Sun Outdoor Track and Field Championships behind a strong contingent in the field events. The defending champions are currently holding an 18 point edge over ETSU following the first day of competition.

Jeremy Longshore and Elliott Haynie added a quick 18 points to the Bulldogs’ total, finishing first and second, respectively, in the pole vault. Longshore’s mark of 4.75 meters in the event not only earned his team 10 points, but also moved him into sole possession of the A-Sun record in the event.

Ten more points were credited to Gardner-Webb’s account following a second place finish by Jake Didion and a fifth place finish by Bryant Davis in the long jump. Didion finished second in the event for the second consecutive years, falling to Campbell’s Sam Tilly each time.

Tilly entered the event as the favorite and proved why, posting an NCAA Regional qualifying mark of 7.59 meters to give Campbell, currently in fourth place, 10 of its 22 points.

Gardner-Webb continued its field event domination when senior Cody MacArthur bested a field of 18 by over five meters. MacArthur won the event for the second consecutive season and added 4.02 meters to his A-Sun Championship meet record.

ETSU’s Nicholas Chernikow holds an early lead in the A-Sun’s inaugural decathlon, finishing first in five of the Day 1 events. Chernikow won the 400-meter dash, high jump, long jump, shot put after finishing second in the 100-meter dash to kick off the championship festivities.

At the conclusion of the first day, Gardner-Webb holds the lead with 49 points, followed by ETSU (31), Belmont (29), Campbell (22), Kennesaw State (20), and Lipscomb (4).

Day 2 action of the 2007 Men’s Outdoor Track and Field Championship is set to begin at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday when the gun sounds for the decathlon’s 110-meter hurdles. For complete cover of the event, visit the Men’s Championship Page at www.atlanticsun.org.

Related Links:
 • Men's Track Championship Page