TRYON, N.C. – The Charleston Southern distance group helped lead the squad to third in the team standings after the first day of the 2026 Big South Indoor Track & Field Championships.
 
The Buccaneers dominated the 5K during the evening session of the day with five runners scoring points for 29 points from the event. Martin Iriondo won the event with a time of 14:53.61 and Micah Gilpatric claimed second with his 14:57.56. Griffin Gillespie and Caleb Kenyon were fourth and fifth respectively and crossed the line at 15:00.04 and 15:04.88. Lin Scott rounded out the group as he was seventh at 15:20.33.
 
In the distance medley relay, they recorded a third-place finish as they ran the ninth-best time in program history with their 10:06.54. The group featured Collin Kleinhen, Brennan Johnson, Kaden Kleinhen and Rogan Arriaga.
 
In the sprints, Laden Beckwith and Aden Price had a great day getting through the prelims of their events. Beckwith had a 6.73 in the 60m for the top time in the round and a new personal best. He also had a career best in the 200m with a 21.59 for eighth in school history. Price had a 21.47 in the 200m and 48.24 to both rank within the top three of all entrees in the events. Hunter Adams also advanced to Saturday's finals in the 400m with a personal best of 49.07.
 
The other event held during the day was the 800m with all three Charleston Southern entrees getting through the prelims. C. Kleinhen had the best time of the three with a 1:55.60 while K. Kleinhen had a 1:56.21 and Jackson Lovvorn had a 1:57.42.
 
Tarrell Miles scored the lone point in the field events for the Bucs as he claimed eighth in the weight throw. His best mark of the day was 16.76m for that scoring finish.
 
The second and final day of the Big South Indoor Championships continue tomorrow, Saturday February 28. The field events are scheduled to begin at 12:15 p.m. with the track ones slated for a 2:10 p.m. start.