MARYVILLE, Mo. – The Drury men's and women's track and field programs competed in their first meets of the season at the Crimson & Gold Invitational, hosted by Pittsburg State on Dec. 5, followed by the Mel Tjeerdsma Classic, hosted by Northwest Missouri State on Dec. 6. 
 
The Panthers sent eight athletes to compete in the 3,000 and 5,000-meter races at the Crimson & Gold Invitational. Santiago Nunez was the top performer for the men, placing 10^th in the 5K with a time of 15:09.91. Will Wegener and Kenneth Loyd placed 33^rd and 34^th with times of 16:20.09 and 16:20.95. 
 
For the women, Ashley Sexton finished 11^th in the 3K with a time of 10:45.59, and Alexis Workman placed 24^th in the 5K with a time of 18:43.64.
 
At the Mel Tjeerdsma Classic, the Panthers had multiple top finishes. Delaney Riekert placed second in the women's 200 meters with a time of 25.02, and Lauren Coleman finished behind her in seventh with a time of 25.69. Riekert also placed sixth in the 400 meters with a time of 58.50. 
 
On the men's side, Rylan Malloy finished sixth in the 400 meters with a time of 50.04. Caden Green placed seventh in the 60-meter hurdles with a time of 8.64. 
 
Freshman Gunner Bradshaw placed second in the men's high jump at 2.01 meters. On the women's side, freshman Anna Talbot earned second in the long jump with a mark of 5.62 meters. 
 
HIGHLIGHTS

• Rylan Malloy broke the school record in the 400 meters with a time of 50.04. 
• Delaney Riekert broke the record in the 400 meters (58.50) and moved into second all-time in the 200 meters (25:02).
• Anna Talbot broke the school record in the long jump with 5.62 meters. 
• Alya Diable ranks second all-time in the 400 meters with her time of 58.98. 
• Gunner Bradshaw moved into second all-time in the high jump with 2.01 meters. 
• Qwentin Luginbill ranks fourth all-time in the 400 meters with his time of 50.42.
• Caden Green's 60-meter hurdle time of 8.64 ranks fifth all-time in school history.
• Braden Baker ranks fourth all-time in the triple jump with 13.20 meters.
• Santiago Nunez improved his 5K time from 15:15.52 to 15:09.91. 

LOOKING AHEAD
After winter break, Drury track and field returns to action at the WU Rust Buster, hosted by Washburn, on Jan. 16. 

FOLLOW THE PANTHERS
For all the latest information on Drury athletics, please visit drurypanthers.com. For up-to-the-minute updates, follow the Panthers on X and Instagram.