Lions Advance to Distance Medley Final
March 06, 2008Johnson City, TN - The first day of competition saw the Lions qualify for the final of the men's distance medley relay at the NAIA Indoor Track and Field Championship. The 43rd annual championship is taking place at the Memorial Dome on East Tennessee State University's campus.
The Lions will compete in the final of the DMR on Saturday afternoon after finishing 3rd and setting a new school record of 10:06.47 in the first heat. The relay squad finished behind Azusa Pacific and Indiana Wesleyan and go into the final with the third fastest time in both sections. Freshmen Zach Mobley (3:04.6) led off in the 1200 meter leg and handed off in the lead to freshmen Drew Nunnelly (50.8). Sophomores Josh Bradley (1:54.2) and Daniel Goetz (4:16.8) brought the baton home with the 800 meter and 1600 meter legs.
Earlier in the day the men's 4x800 meter relay failed to reach the final with a 8th place finish of 8:16.43. Freshmen athletes Bryson Harper, Hunter Hall, Colby Smith and junior Andrew Dorn participated in their first indoor national championship meet.
Friday afternoon will see three Lions take to the track with Daniel Goetz slated to compete in the semifinal of the men's mile, while Josh Bradley and Zach Mobley will line up in the 800 meter semifinal.
"The men had solid performances in the distance medley and it should be an exciting final. But, now we need to turn our attention to tomorrow's individual races and focus on the task at hand. The young guys did a good job in the 4x800 meter relay as well and the experience they gained in their first championship should carry over in the years to come." said coach Rodney Stoker.