Marion, IN - The opening day of the NAIA Outdoor Track & Field Championship produced two school records for the Bryan College Track program and advanced athletes to Friday's action.
Zach Buffington, a junior who prepped at Ooltewah High, finished 8th in the 10,000-meter final on a warm and humid evening at Indiana Wesleyan's Outdoor Track Complex. Buffington was 18th at the halfway point in the 25-lap race before moving through the field to finish in a new school record of 31:57.65.
Senior Josh Bradley (Ringgold, GA) breezed through the opening preliminary round of the men's 800-meter run with his 2nd-place finish in section two at 1:51.58. Teammate Bryson Harper was 7th in the first section of the men's 1500-meter run and failed to advance to Saturday's final with his 3:58.64.
Harper, a sophomore and former Sequatchie County High standout, led off the evening's 4 x 800-meter relay that saw the Lions set a new school record of 7:38.10 and move into Friday's final. Freshmen athletes Alex Stephens (Cleveland, TN) and Jason McLeod (Ocoee, FL) ran well to get the baton around to Bradley, who anchored for the quartet.
Bradley will compete in the 800-meter semifinal Friday afternoon at 3:30pm before coming back once again to help the 4 x 800-meter relay compete at 6:20pm. The Lions stand in 16th place after the first day of competition.
"It was a solid first day for our athletes. Josh looked comfortable in his efforts. I'm super excited for Buffington. He has learned a lot in the last few years and is starting to apply that when he races. Harper just missed the final in the 1500, but came back and gave us a nice lead-off leg in the relay. Our freshmen stepped up with their efforts and the best part is they are gaining valuable experience for future championships," stated Head Coach Rodney Stoker.
2010 NAIA Outdoor Track & Field Championship 
