Augusta Men’s Track & Field Opens Inaugural Indoor Season With Record-Breaking Performances Across Two Meets

AUGUSTA, Ga. – Senior distance standout Avery Jaynes broke the Peach Belt Conference indoor 5,000-meter record to lead the Augusta University men’s track and field team in its inaugural indoor season opener on Saturday, as the Jaguars competed at two events featuring a strong mix of Division I and Division II programs: the BU Sharon Colyear-Danville Season Opener in Boston and the Visit Winston-Salem College Kick-Off at JDL Fast Track.

Boston Results 

Winston-Salem Results

Jaynes Breaks PBC Indoor 5K Record At BU

Facing a nationally competitive field loaded with Division I athletes, Jaynes ran 13:58.81 in the 5,000 meters to set a new Peach Belt Conference indoor record and Augusta indoor school record. His performance met the NCAA Division II standard and adds to a résumé that includes All-America honors, Augusta outdoor records in the 5,000 and 10,000, PBC outdoor records in both events, PBC Outstanding Track Athlete of the Year, and an appearance at the 2025 NCAA National Championship.

At the same meet, Oscar Curry and Seth Eye opened their seasons with strong efforts against elite fields. Curry ran 3:55.55 in the 1500 meters en route and 4:14.26 in the mile, while Eye posted 4:08.79 en route and 4:27.59 in the mile.

Jaguars Open Indoor Slate At JDL Fast Track

The majority of Augusta’s men’s squad competed at the Visit Winston-Salem College Kick-Off, which also featured opponents from both divisions.

Freshman Devin Barolette led Augusta in the sprints, clocking 22.16 in the 200 meters, followed by freshman Gabriel Carson in 22.46. Carson returned to run 49.73 in the seeded 400 meters, while freshman Dorian Chance paced the group with a 49.07.

Sophomore Charlie Roberts and junior Roberto Barrera added two more sub-50 marks in the 400, running 49.22 and 49.61.

In the 800 meters, freshman Kaden Lombardo led Augusta in 2:04.16, followed by freshmen Barrett Stepp (2:04.43) and Evans McDaniel (2:12.60).

Junior Noah Shepherd ran 4:20.46 in the mile to lead the Jaguars, with freshmen Francisco Palacios (4:28.50) and Connor Mumford (4:35.54) completing the group.

Distance Group Stacks Strong 5K Efforts

Augusta’s distance depth carried into the Winston-Salem meet, where junior Andrew Helfers placed sixth in the 5,000 meters in 15:00.18. Sophomore Eli Corn ran 15:23.91, and freshman Caleb Darsey opened his indoor season in 15:54.66.

Jean Baptiste Leads Field Events

Junior Mitchell Jean Baptiste highlighted Augusta’s field event performances with a 1.94-meter (6-4.25) clearance in the high jump.

The team returns to Winston-Salem the following week for the ‘Twas the Meet Before Christmas on Friday, Dec. 12.

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