STANFORD, Calif. -- Furman's Cameron Ponder posted an NCAA East Preliminaries qualifying time of 8:47.65 in the 3,000m Steeplechase Friday at Stanford's 27th Payton Jordan Invitational at Cobb Track and Angell Field in Stanford, Calif.

A senior from Winston-Salem, N.C., Ponder placed seventh collegiately and tenth overall and was the top finisher from the East region.  His time ranks among the top 20 in the East this season.  

Paladin senior Carson Williams of Raleigh, N.C., competed as an unattached athlete and won the event with a personal-best time of 8:27.14.  

Furman athletes have a decorated history in the 3,000m Steeplechase.  Williams has earned All-American citations each of the last two seasons, while Ponder has competed in the event twice at the NCAA East Preliminaries. 

All told, Paladin athletes have earned ten All-America citations in the event, with Tripp Hurt, Troy Reeder, and Williams combining for five honors on the men's side and Gabbi Jennings earning three of the five on the women's side.