Seward, Neb. - The Central Methodist Track and Field program closed the month of Decemer with an impressive showing at the Concordia Early Bird Invite this weekend in Seward, Nebraska.

The meet was highlighted by multiple event victories, podium finishes, and national qualifying marks for the Eagles.

Senior Zakiya Porter led the way on the track, winning the women's 60-meter dash in both a meet-record and new school record time of 7.59 seconds. It is also the No. 6 mark in the NAIA so far this season. Additionally, Porter finished third in the 200 meters (25.28). She has qualified nationally in both events. 

In the hurdles, sophomore Tafaol Mohamed captured first place in the 60-meter hurdles (8.83), followed closely by senior Haley Bellamy in second (8.85) and freshman Akeelah Knox in third (8.89), giving the Eagles a sweep of the podium.

The 400 meters also saw a 1-2-3 sweep for CMU, as Allena Rowland claimed first place in 56.15 seconds, an NAIA automatic qualifying mark, currently No. 1 in the NAIA this season, and a new school record. She was followed by Diane Ondobo in second (57.80) and sophomore Bailey Arceneaux in third (58.04).

Each of the three times were converted due to track size, and all three ladies have secured spots at indoor nationals. 

The women's 4x400-meter relay 'A' team of Ondobo, Arceneaux, Deborah Martinez, and Rowland took home first place in 3:51.58, an NAIA automatic qualifying time.

Sophomore Anaya Little earned a second-place finish in the women's 3000-meter race walk with a time of 18:46.63, ranking sixth nationally.

In the field events, Bellamy won the long jump with a school record leap of 5.80 meters, which also punched her ticket to nationals. Junior Annemarie Koerner finished third in the event (5.59m).

Sophomore Natalie Calcaterra added a third-place finish in the women's high jump (1.61m).

On the men's side, senior Wilton George finished second in the men's 60-meter hurdles with a personal-best time 8.09 seconds, securing a spot at indoor nationals. 

Sophomore Devon Fletcher placed fourth in the 60 meters after running a personal-best time of 6.92 seconds in the final.

Freshman Isaac Lawson won the men's 400 meters with a time of 50.19.

The men's 4x400-meter relay 'A' team of Logan Bass, Cortney Watkins, Isaac Lawson, and Aidan Jacobs finished second after clocking a time of 3:22.35. 

In the jumps, senior Cortney Watkins placed second in the men's long jump with a mark of 7.06 meters.

Sophomore Azaan Stoughtenborough followed with a second-place finish in the men's triple jump, posting a season-best 14.47 meters and also qualifying for indoor nationals. 

Central will next return to action at the Alexis Jarrett Invitational Saturday, Jan. 10 in Columbia, Mo. 

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