PIRATES OPEN SEASON WITH RECORD BREAKING RESULTS

SAN ANTONIO, Texas - The Southwestern men's track and field team opened their spring season in style, breaking school records and establishing new ones. There were four events where new records were set and seven personal bests at the Incarnate Word Invitational.

Matt Wladyka set the tone for the day by establishing an SU record of 8.23m in the shot put for a 15th place finish. 

Allen Smith had a strong showing in the 800m taking fifth place in a time of 2:08.39 while Sebastian Winkler came in at 2:17.82 for tenth in the event.

The 5K was by far the best all-around event for the Pirates as all four who ran posted personal best times, including two runners under the previous SU record time. Dan Rudd beat out Sam Martinez in the home stretch to snag claim to the new SU record in a personal best time of 15:45.08 for ninth place. Martinez came in just over a second late at 15:46.30 in tenth. Zach Freeland and Stephen Fuentes also had personal best times in the event. Freeland's 16:14.33 earned him 23rd while Fuentes was right behind in 24th at 16:15.82.

SU kept the momentum going by establishing two SU records in relay events. The sprint medley of Alex Sheppard, Avery Sheppard, Brady Kent and Addison English took fourth place in a time of 1:44.53 while the distance medley of Rudd, Avery Sheppard, Kent and English finished in fourth as well at 10:56.43. 

Southwestern closed out the event with an 11th place finish in the 4x400 with a time of 3:40.53.

The Pirates look to continue their success at the Tarleton Relays in Stephenville, TX on March 11th.