EMORY, Va. – The Anderson University Men's Track & Field program competed at the South Atlantic Conference Outdoor Championships on Wednesday, April 29 and Thursday, April 30, bringing home five podium finishes and a program record to finish 5th in the field.
 
"What a season from our guys! Had a lot of talent and high expectations." said head coach Caleb Stephenson.
 
The Championships began early Wednesday morning with the men's decathlon, featuring senior Dylan Lego (Roebuck, S.C.) and junior David Brown (Menomonie, Wis.). Brown earned silver on the podium with a score of 5802 after recording personal bests in the 100m dash (11.48), 110m hurdles (16.34) and the 1500m (5:11.20).
 
Wednesday saw three podium appearances and four final qualifying by the Black and Gold. Junior Angel Galan (Santa Marta De Tormes, Spain) finished third in the 3000m steeple to earn bronze on the podium while SAC Freshman of the Year Avery Butler (Seneca, S.C.) earned silver with a toss of 46.62m. After a short weather delay, graduate Spain Vaughan posted a 31:04.87 10k time for a 3rd-place podium finish in the event.
 
Four Trojans finished in the top 8 to earn points for Anderson on day one. Freshman Nate Powell (Johnson City, Tenn.) finished sixth in the 3000m steeple with a time of 9:50.87) while Vaughan finished with a 5k time of 15:08.81 to place sixth in the event. The men's 10k had two Trojans score with freshman Will Cronin (Lexington, S.C.) posting a time of 15:08.81 to finish 6th while junior Jack Barrett (Greenville, S.C.) finished 8th with a time of 31:23.66. Junior Cullen Ussery (Kershaw, S.C.) posted a personal best in the 400m prelims with a time of 49.11.
 
After strong preliminary rounds, the Trojans sent several athletes to the finals, where they turned in scoring performances. Sophomore Brayden Anderson finished 5th in the preliminary round of the 400m with a time of 48.85 to qualify for finals on Friday, finishing 8th overall in the event. Advancing through prelims, Johnny McCoy placed fifth in the 400m hurdles, crossing the line for a time of 58.16. In just his first season wearing the Black and Gold, freshman Gavin Malloy (Harrisburg, N.C.) finished 6th in the prelims before advancing to finals where he finished 8th overall with a time of 1:58.75. Junior Joey Tindale (Rock Hill, S.C.) also punched a ticket to the finals with a 4th-place finish in the 1500m before posting a time of 3:55.30 in the finals to finish 5th overall.
 
In the field on day two, freshman Ryan Lee (Honea Path, S.C.) was named the men's pole vault runner up, earning silver on the podium after clearing the 4.65m bar. The men's pole vault saw three more Trojans earning points for Anderson including senior Lucas Pryor (Greer, S.C.), David Brown, and senior Will O'Cain each clearing the 4.20m bar to finish 5th, 6th, and 8th respectively. Avery Butler tallied more points for the Black and Gold after finishing fourth overall in the shotput with a distance of 14.48m. Rounding out the scoring for Anderson was redshirt sophomore CJ Young (Clinton, S.C.) after jumping 6.78m in the men's long jump to finish seventh in the field.
 
The men's 4x400m relay comprised of sophomore Will Wright (Sumter, S.C.), Cullen Ussery, freshman Harrison Knight (Greenville, S.C.), and Brayden Anderson, closed the meet with a program record time of 3:17.91.
 
"Overall, we achieved a lot of what we wanted this past weekend." added Stephenson. "We made some finals we weren't projected to and showed up when it mattered. Will miss the one's we are losing without a doubt but excited for what is to come for these boys! Also, shout out to Avery on winning SAC Freshman of the Year. I couldn't think of a better kid!"
 
While the 2026 season comes to a close for the Black and Gold, a few Trojans will travel to the Lee University Last Chance Meet on Saturday, May 9, chasing after national qualifying times.