CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Junior Kaitlyn Lingard led the Western Carolina men’s and women’s track & field teams Friday as the teams opened up the 2018 Outdoor Track & Field Season at the 49er Classic hosted by Charlotte. Lingard broke a 21-year old record in the women’s 1500m as she clocked in at 4:32.34 edging previous Catamount record holder Kristen Savery who ran a 4:33.49 back in 1997.

The time earned Lingard a 10th place finish in a highly competitive field. Lingard was one of just five Catamounts to earn top-10 finishes at the 49er Classic on day one.

Senior Scott Peretin turned in the only podium finish for the Catamounts as he took third in the men’s hammer throw with a mark of 54.79m (179-09).

Junior Dasha Arnaut took fourth in the women’s 400m hurdles as she circled the track in 1:00.75.

The final two top-10 finishers were senior Meghan Breden, who tied for 10th in the women’s pole vault, and junior Simone Williams, who took 10th in the women’s hammer throw. Breden cleared 3.50m (11-05.75) to claim her spot while Williams stopped the tape at 49.88m (163-08) to take 10th in the hammer.

The Catamounts will be back in action all day Saturday as they wrap up their first outdoor competition of the season.