BROOKINGS, S.D.— Freshmen Jessica Gakeri and Dylan Garcia each competed for the Montreat women's track & field team at the NAIA Indoor Track & Field Championships in South Dakota this week. The duo combined to contest two school records over the three-day championships.

"The women's team had an amazing meet," said head coach Chester Hightower. "I was very proud of our freshmen. It was awesome for them to gain some national experience heading into the outdoor season."
 
Gakeri used a personal-best jump of 11.51m to break the seven-year-old school record in the prelims of the triple jump. Though the first-year jumper didn't make the final, Gakeri ended the event in 14^th out of 32 competitors thanks to her second effort of Saturday afternoon.
 
Garcia competed in a pair of events for the Cavaliers, the mile run and 800m competition. First, the freshman from Franklin, N.C. crossed 17^th in the mile prelims with a time of 5:16.85 before participating in the 800m. In that event's prelims, Garcia utilized a time of 2:19.18 to conclude 11^th and tie her own school record set earlier this season.

"Looking back at the weekend, it was a very honorable and gritty performance all the way around," Hightower added. "I am also simply grateful we were able to come to this meet healthy and safely and give the kids an opportunity to use their platform with grace. We have some of the best coaches in the NAIA. I cannot emphasize enough how much I am looking forward to competing this outdoor season."
 
Women's track & field now opens its outdoor season with a meet at Columbia International on March 18 and 19.