MARION, Ind.— The Montreat men's and women's track & field teams opened their 2025 U.S. Marines NAIA Outdoor Track & Field Championships journeys on Wednesday with four events, all of which occurred on the track. Competing on day one at Indiana Wesleyan University, Heather Murphy's NAIA All-American showing highlighted the Cavaliers' impressive display amidst rain and cool temperatures.
 
Dylan Garcia kicked off nationals for the Cavs with the day's top women's 1500m time. Racing in the semifinals, Garcia beat out a field of 21 racers with her 4:35.62 effort. The Franklin, N.C. native's performance proved good enough to qualify for Friday's 1500m final.
 
Montreat's other semifinal on Wednesday came in the women's 4x800m relay. Macy Parks, Yessenia Castellanos, Emily Standifer and Brooke Wiebe teamed up for a time of 9:34.75, which was the sixth-quickest in heat two and the 18^th-fastest out of 26 squads. The Cavaliers did not qualify for tomorrow's 4x800m final with their showing.
 
"Awesome start to our day as Dylan got through the 1500m prelims with no drama," said Rylan Hincher, Montreat College's head cross country coach. "Our women's 4x800m relay battled hard in rough conditions."
 
Murphy stole the show in the women's 10k final Wednesday night. A native of Portarlington, Ireland, Murphy captured All-American honors with her time of 34:35.49. Besting the third-place finisher by more than 33 seconds, Murphy concluded the race as the NAIA's 10k runner-up, resulting in eight team points for the Cavs. The score was good enough to put the Montreat women in a tie for sixth through day one.
 
Ali Ray also delivered a strong 37:06.67 time in the women's 10k. Ray ended 15^th among a 21-competitor field.
 
The Cavaliers' last event from Wednesday featured Ryan Stade in the men's 10k final. Running late into the night, Stade edged out 12 participants en route to his 13^th-place performance. Overall, Stade needed merely 31:11.35 to wrap up his 10k.
 
"The 10k was great for us," Hincher added. "Heather led the way with her runner-up finish, and both Ali and Ryan beat multiple cross country All-Americans in a deep field."
 
For a look at results from day one of the 2025 U.S. Marines NAIA Outdoor Track & Field Championships, click here.
 
The Montreat men's and women's track & field teams return to Marion, Ind. tomorrow for four additional events. Wyatt Wilson gets the day started for the Cavs at 5:15 p.m. with the men's 5000m race walk final.