Williamsburg, KY. —On Friday, March 14, the IU Columbus Track & Field team made history with their first-ever competition at the Early Bird Outdoor Invite, hosted by the University of the Cumberlands. The athletes faced a breezy but warm day, with gusty winds and a high of 74°F, perfect for an early season test.
The men's team showed remarkable strength, with several athletes making impressive performances. Freshman Seth Trimble earned a 5th place 
finish in High Jump, showcasing his potential for the season. Trimble was also part of the 4x400m Relay team—alongside freshmen Liam Milne, Jackson Neibert, and senior Alejandro Saldivar—that secured a solid 4th place finish. Freshman Alex Lozano rounded out the top-10 finishes for the men, earning 9th in Shot Put.
On the women's side, junior Dani Bulach leaped her way to a 5th place finish in Long Jump, while the 4x400m Relay team—comprising juniors Olivia Embry and Madison Merritt, and seniors Abby Voss and Erin Jones—also secured a 4th place finish. Junior Ali Stier powered through to 5th place in Shot Put, while sophomore Grace Barkes added to the team's success with an 8th place finish in the same event. Senior Abby Voss continued to show her versatility by finishing 10th in the 1500m, a solid result for her first competition of
the year.
Despite being their debut meet, the Crimson Pride athletes showed no signs of inexperience. In fact, they set an impressive 17 school records across various events, marking an exciting start to the season and setting a strong foundation for future meets.
The team will now look to build on their early success as they travel to the Rose-Hulman's Early Bird Invitational on Saturday, March 22nd, in Terre Haute, Indiana. With the energy and momentum 
from their strong showing in Williamsburg, IU Columbus will aim to continue establishing new records and solidifying their place in the track and field world.
The future looks bright for the Crimson Pride Track & Field team, and this first meet was just the beginning of what promises to be a thrilling season!
To read more about the Crimson Pride Track & Field team and the exciting introduction of the program to the university, check out this article detailing the launch of the program and its future plans.
