HIGH POINT, N.C. – The Western Carolina track & field teams scored four top-five finishes on an unseasonably cold day opening day Thursday at the High Point Vertklasse Meeting held at Dick Vert Track.

Senior Jay Stanley finished in fifth place in the men's hammer throw with a distance of 51.65 meters (169'5").

In the men's shot put, reigning SoCon Men's Field Athlete of the Week Mac Bennett finished seventh with a throw of 14.65 meters (48'0.75"). Senior Jay Stanley followed in eighth with his top throw measuring 14.57 meters (47'9.75").

Freshman Drew Zink crossed the finish line in seventh place in the men's 3,000-meter steeplechase with a time of 10:11.78.

Sophomore Thomas Martin finished 10^th in the men's javelin throw with a mark of 43.41 meters (142'5").

Senior Lesleigh Tabor placed third in the women's shot put with a top distance of 13.14 meters (43'1.1.5").  Junior Victoria Solheim was 10^th with a throw of 11.55 meters (37'10.75").

Freshman Omare McBride finished in third place in the women's high jump "B" section after she cleared a height of 1.45 meters (4'9"). Also, scoring a top-10 finish in the event was senior Rylee Dean in seventh with a height of 1.40 meters (4'7").  

Freshman Maddy Sherwood placed fifth in the women's pole vault "B" section after she cleared 2.80 meters (9'2.25").

Junior Peyton Wood finished sixth in the 3,000-meter steeplechase with a finishing time of 12:17.03.

The meet continues on Friday with field action starting at 9:30 a.m. with the women's hammer. Track action kicks off at 1 p.m. with the women's 4x400-meter relay. Friday's track action along with highlights from field events will be streamed live on ESPN+ (paid subscription required).