Centre men kick off outdoor season at Rhodes

The Centre men's track and field team began its outdoor season at the Rhodes Open Meet in Memphis on Saturday. Competing against teams from all divisions, the Colonels were able to land in the top 50 in all of Division III in ten events.

Centre placed two runners in the top 50 in the nation in the 10K. Freshman Eric Beyerle (Louisville, Ky.) is currently ranked 27th after his run at Rhodes. Senior Willie Polio (Owensboro, Ky.) placed 41st in Division III.

The Colonels also placed two relay teams in the top 50. The 4x100 relay team of senior Marcus Niemann (Louisville, Ky.), freshman Quinten Cottrell (Shelbyville, Ky.), sophomore Cesar Hernandez (Chelsea, Mass.) and junior Monte Scotton (Cleveland, Tenn.) is currently ranked 41st in Division III. The 4x400 relay team of Hernandez, freshman Matt McCurdy (Bartlett, Tenn.) and seniors Daniel Pearson (Jackson, Miss.) and Graham Campbell (Cincinnati, Ohio) also placed 41st in the country after their run at Rhodes.

In addition to the relays, Hernandez also placed 14th in the nation in the long jump, while sophomore Michael Orr (Murray, Ky.) placed 24th in the pole vault.

Centre had four top 50 performances in the throwing events at Rhodes as well. Senior Jacob Carter (Bardstown, Ky.) placed 28th in the country in the hammer throw and 38th in the javelin. Junior Michael Bozarth (Mount Washington, Ky.) placed 45th in Division III in the shot put. Junior Alex Calhoun (Oxford, Ohio) placed 16th in the nation in the javelin throw.

The next meet for Centre men's track will take place on March 31 at Hanover.