VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. - Seven members of the Lenoir-Rhyne Men's and Women's Track and Field Teams represented the Bears at the 2023 NCAA Division II Indoor Championships. Led by a top overall performance in his heat by Dario Matau, LR had a strong showing on day one.

Matau finished with a personal-best time of 6.66, ahead of the whole field in the 60m dash. His time not only represented a personal best but broke the program record set by P.J. Lotharp of 6.73 in 2019. Matau also competed in the 200m later in the day and finished second to qualify for the final in that event as well. Matau's 20.79 was a personal best. That time finished as the fifth-best all-time and the third-best in meet history. Trent Davis II also competed in the 200m and finished 13th win a time of 21.83 but didn't advance him to tomorrow.

Melody Jones would also qualify for Saturday's finals with a 8.50 second sprint in the 60m hurdles which was good for sixth-place overall and also stood as a personal best for the sophomore. 

Alexis Brown did her thing in the 60m dash, finishing third with a time of 7.38 to move on to Saturday's finals. Brown, the 2023 SAC Women's Indoor Freshman of the Year, won the SAC Championship in the 60m with a time of 7.25. Brown also competed in the 200m later in the day and continued her outstanding day with a second place finish and personal best time of 23.61.

Jacob Wadsworth competed in the Hepathlon on the first day and is in sixth after four events. The senior stood out in the 60m with the top time of 6.90 and was second in the long jump at 7.27. Wadsworth's day one also included a performance in the men's long jump that saw him finished 13th with a leap of 7.10m. 

This marks the first time since 2012 that members of the Lenoir-Rhyne Women's Track and Field team are represented in the NCAA Indoor Championships. The men are in their second straight NCAA Indoor Championship and the sixth time in program history.

Saturday Event Schedule:
Mens Heptathlon- 10:45 AM (hurdles), 11:30 AM (pole vault), 2:00 PM (1000m)   - Jacob Wadsworth
Women's 60m Hurdles - 3:40 PM - Melody Jones
Women's 60m - 4:00 PM - Alexis Brown
Mens 60m - 4:10 PM - Dario Matau
Women's 200m - 5:30 PM - Alexis Brown
Mens 200m - 5:40 PM - Dario Matau
Mens 4x400 - 6:45 PM - John Sisson, Dario Matau, Jacob Wadsworth, Lucas Besong