Wingate, N.C.----Wingate University graduate student Elliot Zirwas won the men's shot put (16.45 meters) and discus throw (50.32 meters) at the LR Bears Open in Hickory Sunday, setting new WU school records and posting NCAA Division II provisional qualifying marks in the process. The Bulldogs competed in both the LR Bears Open and the Charlotte 49er Classic this weekend.
 
What They Are Saying
 
Wingate graduate student Elliot Zirwas, when asked about competing again: "I felt a feeling of euphoria. This was my first outdoor competition in almost two years. It just feels great to be back and competing after everything that has happened in the last year."
 
Big Numbers and Gold Medals
 
- The Wingate outdoor track and field teams have had 667 days between the 2019 NCAA national championships and this weekend's competitions
- The Bulldogs won eight gold medals at LR (Zirwas and Mark Burks twice each, Carly Platt, Parker Hatley, Meg Rapley and Jacob Willis once each)
- Graduate student Vanisha Wilshire won the high jump at the Charlotte 49er Classic
 
Just the facts...Wingate top 10 outdoor performances this weekend*
 
WOMEN
- Danielle Crawford, shot put 12.19m #4, discus 34.49m #8 and hammer 32.68m #10
- Abby Heath, 400m 59.15 #8
- Lexie May, discus 37.63m #5
- Carly Platt, shot put 12.14m #5 and discus 40.65m #2
- Nia Portis, triple jump 10.63m #8
- Meg Rapley, 1500m 4:47.79 #4
- Caroline Saetre, 400m hurdles 1:07.98 #5 and javelin 29.20m #5
- Mollie Scott, 1500m 4:51.93 #7
- Ennessey Sorrells, triple jump 11.12m #4
- Lauryn Tumey, 1500m 4:53.14 #9
 
MEN
- Jan Bayona, 1500m 3:59.39 #5
- Gerhard Bezuidenhout, 800m 1:59.96 #9
- Mark Burks, 200m 22.11 #8 and 400m 49.82 #7
- Elijah Compton, 110m hurdles 15.49 #7
- Demond Cooper, 110m hurdles 15.28 #6 and 400m hurdles 55.80 #4 (C49er)
- Vince Frattaroli, pole vault 3.60m #2
- Jereamy Hall, 1500m 4:03.43 #8
- Parker Hatley, 10,000m 35:25.91 #8
- Micah Kipchumba, 1500m 4:03.96 #10
- Bastian Mrochen, 1500m 3:55.40 #3
- Tucker Mullis, shot put 15.16m #2, discus 38.77m #9 and hammer 43.42m #8
- Thomas Nulty, javelin 49.46m #3
- Elliot Richards, 1500m 3:59.85 #6
- Tai Smith, 1500m 3:56.69 #4
- Josh Tiller, 400m 50.85 #9
- Dennis Trukawka, javelin 47.01m #4
- Jacob Willis, 1500m 3:55.03 #2
- Elliot Zirwas, shot put 16.45m #1 and discus 50.32m #1
 
*Marks achieved at LR Bears Open unless noted as C49er…
 
Next on the Agenda
 
Wingate will have two squads competing in two events next weekend: the Raleigh Relays and the adidas Invitational at Winthrop University in Rock Hill, S.C.
 
WINGATE UNIVERSITY
 
Founded in 1896, Wingate University is a laboratory of difference-making that serves more than 3,600 students in North Carolina. Wingate offers 36 undergraduate majors as well as six master's and four doctoral programs. The University is home to the Cannon College of Arts and Sciences; the Levine College of Health Sciences; the Byrum School of Business; and the College of Professional Studies, which includes the Thayer School of Education and the School of Sport Sciences.
 
Wingate is the leading healthcare education provider in western North Carolina, and nearly one in five Wingate undergraduate students is preparing to be a pharmacist, physician assistant, physical therapist, occupational therapist or nurse. Athletes on Wingate's 23 teams compete in NCAA Division II and have brought home the SAC Echols Athletic Excellence Award for 13 years straight. The University's motto is "Faith, Knowledge, Service." View current news and videos at www.wingate.edu.