The Track and Field Bears broke three school records, starting the season strong at the Arkansas Invitational in Fayetteville on Jan. 17. 

Coach Josey Weaver said, “For the first meet of the year, we’re in a pretty good position. We will need to continue to progress throughout the indoor season to be where we want to be at the ASUN Championships.”

Fifth-year student Tim Haughton broke the UCA record for the 3k with a time of 8:18.70. Junior Aidan Patton broke the UCA shot put record with a 16.11m throw, and sophomore Joia Perry broke the weight-throw record with a distance of 18.42m.

Haughton said, “I just wanted to go out and compete in my events to get a feel for racing on the track again. I was hoping to be closer to 4 minutes in the mile but I still feel like I ran a solid race.”

Alongside breaking a UCA record, Perry placed first in the women’s weight throw.

Perry said, “My plan going into the meet was just to translate the throws from the practices these past few weeks to the competition ring. My goal for a long time has just been consistency — like consistent feelings that hit the same range of meters — and for the most part, I’ve been able to achieve that including this past meet.” 

Perry said she is proud of all her teammates. 

“I’m obviously proud of my throws teammates because a lot of us are trying to figure out little cues and finally feeling them,” she said. “Then I am also proud of our team as a whole because with our goals for conference, it’s important to see a Bear dominating in every event and I believe we are close to achieving that if we have not already.”

Perry said, “I believe overall it was a decent meet to shake some nerves off for our freshmen and get back into the setting of competing for the rest of us.”

Haughton said, “I was happy with how the meet went overall. The first one of the year is always a bit of a rust buster so it gives me confidence moving forward.”

Haughton said he was most proud of teammates sophomore Ky Brickford and junior Hayden Boyett.

“I am most proud of Ky and Hayden because they had not raced in a long time but still went out and competed very well in their heats. Being able to lock back in like that for the first race is a good sign for the rest of the season,” he said. 

Boyett achieved a personal record in the 800m with a time of 1:59:68.

Haughton said his goal for this season is to win the conference championships.

“Our team looks stronger than ever so I definitely think this is achievable. Personally, I am trying to focus more long term on running my best for the outdoor season but I’d still really like to run under 4 minutes for the mile and under 8 minutes for the 3k indoors.”

Weaver said the teams have been practicing since last semester, and their goal this season is to win the ASUN championship.

Ten athletes on the men’s team achieved personal bests at the invitational, and nine on the women’s team achieved personal bests. 

The Bears will race to Topeka, Kansas, for the Washburn Open and Multi from Jan. 31 to Feb. 1.