Tuscaloosa, AL - Two Lions picked up qualifying marks for the NAIA Outdoor National Championship over the weekend at the Alabama Relays. Freshmen athletes Daniel Goetz (Chattanooga, TN) and Josh Bradley (Ringgold, GA) secured their spots in the 3k steeplechase and 800 meter run, as well as set new school records in the process at the Sam Bailey Track and Field Stadium. Bradley finished second in section two of the 800 meter run with a time of 1:54.24 behind Western Kentucky's Stephen Wilson and ended up seventh in the overall standings of the two-lap race. Goetz ran 9:25.42 to finish fifth in the steeplechase behind four SEC athletes, lead by Mississippi's Barnabas Kirui.
Freshmen Zach Buffington (Ooltewah, TN) ran 2:00.41 in the sixth section of the 800 meter run to finish third and came back a few hours later to win section four of the 1500 meter run in 4:10.15. Bryan freshmen Zach Mobley (Ooltewah, TN) running unattached was second in section three of the 800 meter run with a 1:54.85 performance and competed in the 1500 as well with a 4:13.24.
"We had some very solid performances from the guys this weekend. Each of our athletes ran their quickest times to this point in their young careers. I was excited to see them compete at a high level and handle the pressure of lining up with a quality field. Bradley and Mobley ran aggressively in the eight-hundred and it was right where I'd hope they'd be for our outdoor opener. Goetz ran conservatively and hit the qualifying mark, but we'll get after it a little more the next time he races the steeple. Buffington is coming around after a tough indoor season, but his fitness and confidence is rising. He looked great in the fifteen-hundred and I feel he can go faster," said head coach Rodney Stoker.
The Lions will compete twice this week with meets on Thursday, March 29th in Johnson City with the Milligan Relays and Jacksonville State's Springtime Invitational on Saturday March 31st.