USAF Academy, Colo.- There was no sign of backing down, as the Firestorm shared the stage with and excelled against several top track and field programs at the Air Force Holiday Collegiate Open.

Three athletes in particular stood out from the crowd (Thaddious Thurman, Drew Gertenrich, Jerahmia Smith), as the program record books were touched up once again. Thurman posted the third-best 60-meter hurdles time of 8.74 seconds, Gertenrich recorded the sixth-longest shot put throw (11.49 meters) and Smith nearly matched his program-best shot put throw with a 15.69 meter toss, which delivered a third-place finish among multiple NCAA Division I opponents.

ACU's second and final indoor meet of the calendar year included several NCAA Division I institutions such as Air Force, New Mexico, and Colorado State.

EVENT DETAILS

Air Force Holiday Collegiate Open

Location- USAF Academy, CO
Start Time- 1:00 PM

RESULTS

60 Meters

• Alonzo Paul- 7.33 sec (17th/30)

200 Meters

• Lionel McPhaull- 22.78 sec (10th/31)
• Alonzo Paul- 23.35 sec (13th)
• Zachary Holland- 23.94 sec (18th)
• Tyrus Allen- 24.22 sec (23rd)
• Zephaniah Powell- 24.30 sec (26th)

400 Meters

• Lionel McPhaull- 52.61 sec (5th/19)
• Zachary Holland- 54.53 sec (8th)
• Alonzo Paul- 55.01 sec (10th)
• Zephaniah Powell- 55.33 sec (11th)
• Tyrus Allen- 56.03 sec (12th)
• Thaddious Thurman- 57.26 sec (13th)
• Malaki Cowan- 58.02 sec (14th)
• Brent Nelson Jr.- 58.67 sec (16th)
• Manny Valenzuela- 58.80 sec (17th)
• Randall Evans III- 1:00.52 (18th)
• Jeremiah Scherrer- 1:05.09 (19th)

800 Meters

• Manny Valenzuela- 2:31.06 (3rd/4)
• Jeremiah Scherrer- 2:43.65 (4th)

60-Meter Hurdles

• Thaddious Thurman- 8.74 sec (10th/12)

Shot Put

• Jerahmia Smith- 15.69 m/51'5.75'' (3rd/16)
• TaHaj Acoff- 13.20 m/43'3.75'' (9th)
• Drew Gertenrich- 11.49 m/37'8.5'' (10th)
• Tully Farmer- 11.11m/36'5.5'' (12th)
• Harrison Still- 10.31 m/33'10'' (15th)

THOUGHTS FROM COACH BRIAN BELL

"Today's meet was the team's final exam for our first semester of training," Coach Bell said. "They all passed the test. Some with distinction. As a unit our team is well ahead of where we have been in previous seasons. We are grateful to God for the opportunity to travel to such a prestigious institution and compete with some of the best track and field athletes in the country."

NEXT UP FOR THE FIRESTORM

The Firestorm men will have an extended break before kicking their indoor season into high gear in late January. ACU will return to action on January 27th at the Paradise Valley Indoor Invitational where they have already had great success this new season. 
   

Roll Storm!