Phoenix, AZ- On Saturday, Arizona Christian Men's Track opened their 2018 indoor season at the Puma Indoor Invitational.  Sophomore Zak Kleppe had a big day- winning the hurdles in ACU record time and was part of the 4x400 relay team that claimed third.

Running on the "home" track for ACU, Sophomore Joe Avance III started the year with a 7.30 run in the 60 meter race.

Freshman Carlos Parra-Cihak began his collegiate career with a 1:30.02 run in the 600 meter race.

Challenging the longest distance run by the ACU men on the day, Freshman Jared Valadez covered a mile in 5:29.75 and then 3,000 meters in 11:19.03.

Kleppe went to the line and navigated his way through the 60 meter hurdles with an ACU record time of 8.57- just edging a runner from Central Arizona.

The final track event for Arizona Christian was the 4x400 relay which featured two ACU teams.  Kleppe ran the leadoff leg for the team that included Sophomore Van Dion, Sophomore Alias Sturges, and Parra-Cihak.  The quartet finished their trips around the track in 3:26.50.  The second team of Avance, Junior Tanner Hilton, Senior Kendrick Murphy, and Freshman Maverick Gamez crossed the line at 3:38.95.

In the field events, Freshman Tyler Black was the stud as he claimed the ACU pole vault record with a 13'9.25" clearance.

Sturges traveled 20'10.75" in the long jump while Freshman Billy Carter went 40'10.25" in his best triple jump effort.

Freshman Matt Totah (36'00.25") edged Senior Adrian Releford (35'10.50") in the shot put.

On February 9 and 10, the Firestorm will take on the Mesa Indoor and Multi meet hosted by Mesa Community College.