Record-Breaking Start: Pioneers Men's Track and Field Launch Indoor Season in Style

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – The Spartanburg Methodist College men's track and field team opened its indoor season in record-breaking fashion at the JDL Early Bird Invitational, setting three school records and earning nine qualifying marks for the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) Indoor Championships this weekend.

Freshman Janarvious Walker highlighted the track performances with a new school record in the 400m dash, clocking 51.21 to break the previous SMC mark of 52.54 set by Anthony McKinley a decade ago. Teammate Parker Balog also surpassed the qualifying standard, running 52.85 to earn a PR in the event.

The second record of the day came in the 600m dash, where John Jones posted a time of 1:38.49 to earn his spot in the AAC Indoor Championships.

In the throwing events, newcomer Chris Jennings set the third record with a toss of 39-06.75 (12.06m) in the shot put. He was joined by fellow freshman Devon Brown, whose mark of 36-6.75 (11.14m) also met AAC qualifying standards.

Ryan Hunter, a 2025 NAIA Cross Country Championship qualifier, continued his momentum on the track by running 9:03.30—a PR and the second-fastest 3,000m time in school history, earning another AAC qualifying spot.

The Pioneers also showcased elite depth in the 60m dash, as three athletes recorded top-10 all-time SMC performances while earning AAC qualifiers:

• Qya Clemons (7.04) – 3rd fastest in program history; SMC debut

• Jaylin Anderson (7.183) – 5th fastest; SMC debut

• Parker Balog (7.184) – 6th fastest; second PR of the day

Another standout performance came in the 800m, where Caleb Williams ran a PR of 2:05.27, earning the third-fastest time in school history.