COLUMBIA, S.C. -- Senior Gabbi Jennings won the mile and set a new program and facility record to lead the Furman indoor track and field team Friday at the Carolina Challenge in Columbia, S.C.

A native of Slidell, La., Jennings crossed the line in 4:39.97, breaking the previous program record of 4:40.51, which she set in 2019, and knocking over ten seconds off the previous facility record of 4:50.42.  Her time currently ranks ninth in the NCAA this season.

Junior Luke Meade led a contingency of five Paladin men who set personal records and finished among the top 25 in the mile.  Meade took second place with a time of 4:03.62, taking almost four minutes off the facility record.  Junior Daniel Bernal finished sixth at 4:10.65, followed by sophomore Noah Dolhare in seventh with a time of 4:14.65.  Freshman Mac Roberts placed 19th with a time of 4:21.22, and rookie Justin Hager finished 24th at 4:24.13.

Freshman Lauren Peterson turned in a time of 9:52.46 for third place in the 3,000m, topping the previous facility record of 10:01.77.  Rookie Nicole Matysik posted a time of 10:23.49 for seventh place in the event. 

Also on the men's side, freshman Jonah Dill turned in a time of 8.78 for 20th in the 60m hurdles. 

The meet will continue on Saturday when the Paladins will compete in the 200m, 800m, and 5,000m.  The 200m is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m.

Carolina Challenge -  Day 1 Furman Results

Men

60m Dash

88th Nate Kyei-Donkor 7.38

Mile

2nd Luke Meade 4:03.62

6th Daniel Bernal 4:10.36

7th Noah Dolhare 4:14.65

19th Mac Roberts 4:21.22

24th Justin Hager 4:24.13

3,000m

31st Benjamin Seeber 9:01.80

60m Hurdles

20th Jonah Dill 8.78

Long Jump

41st Nate Kyei-Donkor 5.88 19-3.5

44th Evin McEntee 5.78 18-11.75

Women

400m

84th Caroline Nguyen 1:04.99

85th Sammy Trone 1:05.12

Mile

1st Gabbi Jennings 4:39.97- School Record, Facility Record

3,000m

3rd Lauren Peterson 9:52.46

7th Nicole Matysik 10:23.49