Oberlies wins 5K, Potter breaks pentathlon record at Centre Invitational

SEWANEE, Tenn. – The Sewanee track and field teams turned in a strong two-day showing at the Centre Invitational, highlighted by an individual victory, multiple podium finishes, personal bests, and several performances that moved athletes up Sewanee's all-time lists.

Declan Oberlies delivered one of the top performances of the weekend for the Tigers, capturing first place in the men's 5,000 meters with a personal-best time of 15:55.91. Oberlies took control of the race early, grabbing the lead with 1,000 meters remaining and holding it through the finish. His time ranks fifth all-time in Sewanee history. Austin Colvin added a fifth-place finish in the event, running 16:21.59, which now ranks eighth all-time at Sewanee.

On the women's side, Grace Potter continued to shine in the pentathlon, finishing second overall in the 800 meters (2:53.71) and scoring 426 points. Potter also set a school record in the pentathlon during day one of competition, highlighted by a high jump of 1.42 meters, which is tied for fourth all-time at Sewanee.

Several Tigers reached the podium across the meet. Page Wells placed sixth in the women's 600 meters with a 1:49.94, while Noah Smith finished ninth in the men's 600 with a 1:34.39. Sam Leonard earned a fifth-place finish in the high jump, clearing 1.87 meters, and Elliott Allen tied for third in the men's pole vault at 4.15 meters, equaling his personal record.

Relay teams also turned in strong performances. The women's 4x400 relay of Abigail Armstrong, Wells, Gracie Schmidt, and Allison Howorth finished second with a time of 4:36.60. On the men's side, the A relay of Maxwell Finn, Ethan Kline, Lane Gamble, and Leonard placed fourth in 3:35.86, a time that now ranks fourth all-time at Sewanee. The B relay of Christian Myers, Gordon Love, Noah Smith, and Parker Tallman finished seventh in 3:50.86.

In distance events, Eleanor Graham placed eighth in the women's 3,000 meters with a 10:58.91. Oberlies added a 20th-place finish in the men's 3,000 (9:04.45), a mark that moves him from seventh to sixth on Sewanee's all-time list. Elizabeth Cook finished 15th in the women's mile (5:44.86). On the men's side, Tallman placed 12th in the mile (4:31.79), followed closely by Myers in 13th (4:33.04), while Colvin added a 22nd-place finish (4:49.42).

Additional notable results included Gracie Schmidt placing 15th in the women's 400 (1:05.90), while Finn finished 15th in the men's 400 (54.48) and Gamble took 21st (55.28). In the women's 800 meters, Armstrong finished ninth with a personal-best 2:28.87 and remains fourth on Sewanee's all-time list. Sam Ude placed 18th (2:38.50), and Howorth finished 25th (2:48.16).

In the field events, Lukus White led Sewanee in the shot put with a mark of 11.60 meters (22nd), while Gavin Potter (10.81m) and Aryan Patel (8.05m) also competed. In the weight throw, White placed 28th (11.78m), Potter 31st (11.27m), and Patel 48th (8.71m). Ethan Kline added a 21st-place finish in the 60-meter dash with a time of 7.29.

Sewanee will head back to Danville, Ky, in two weekends to compete in the SAA Indoor Track and Field Championships, hosted by Centre College on Feb. 27 and 28.

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