NASHVILLE – The Lipscomb track and field squad kicked off its 2016-17 season with good results as the Bisons turned in several great performances at the Vanderbilt Opener.

“Vanderbilt was a great season opener for our indoor track and field campaign,” track and field assistant coach Marcus Evans said. “We had great performances across the board.”

Senior Wayne Newman picked up right where he left off after last season, earning a win in the 60m Hurdles with a time of 8:03 seconds.

In the 400m, he placed eighth with a time of 49.21 seconds, followed closely by freshman Malachi Bennett in ninth with a 49.30-second race.

For the 60m, freshman Ahmed Amaar and Bennett placed fifth and eighth, respectively, with times of 7.09 seconds and 7.13 seconds.

Amaar also placed well in the 200m, finishing seventh in 22.37 seconds.

“Our hurdlers started the meet off strong, with Wayne having the fastest time of the day and Abigail Newby reaching a PR.” Evans said.

“Our sprinters also looked good today. Teanna Jules showed great promise in both of her races, and Abbey McMurray looks to be back in her best form. Ahmed Amaar had a solid day as well as Malachi Bennett, both won their respective heat in the 60m, 200m, and 400m.”

In the distance events, juniors Juan Gonzalez and Jacob Poyner each broke the school indoor record for the 3000m with times of 8:15.09 and 8:15.37 as they finished second and third.

“Juan, Jake, and Ayers looked awesome in their first meet on the track,” Evans said. “All three wanted to run early after training hard during cross country. For them to be hitting the times they did tonight shows our team is ready to step into the national stage at some big meets in the future.”

It will be over a month before the Bisons hit the track next, as the Purple and Gold are set to head back to Vanderbilt for the Commodore Indoor Invite on Jan. 13.

“I am really proud of our entire team,” Evans said. “We did not have a lot of athletes compete, but the few who did stepped up big and really showed competitive fire.”