Complete Meet Results
 
Charlotte, N.C.----Wingate University outdoor track and field throwers Elliot Zirwas and Danielle Crawford set new school standards in the men's and women's shot put, respectively, in the Charlotte 49er Classic inside the Irwin Belk Track and Field facility Saturday. Both Bulldogs won their signature events on the meet's final day.
 
A graduate student, Zirwas' mark of 18.38 meters is a new school record and the third-best mark in NCAA Division II this season. Zirwas smashed both his previous school record (17.70 meters, 2021 season) and the 2022 NCAA D2 provisional qualifying mark (16.67 meters).
 
A junior, Crawford established a new school record with her mark of 13.59 meters. The previous record (12.98 meters by Athanette Tucker) stood for five years. Crawford bested her previous personal-best mark by a one meter-plus (12.58-to-13.59). She is within shouting distance of the NCAA Division II provisional qualifying mark of 13.99 meters.
 
Wingate men's highlights
 
- Zirwas' shot put mark of 18.38 meters is the best throw in the SAC so far this outdoor season
- Three WU graduate students finished in the top five of the Charlotte 49er Classic shot put event
- Tucker Mullis (15.20 meters) and Tom Kalliske (14.97 meters) finished third and fifth, respectively, to support Zirwas' career day
- Kalliske entered the WU career top 10 in the shot put and the discus (40.26 meters) Saturday
- Both Jacob Pickering and Ward Janssen moved into the Bulldog career top 10 in the 800 meters
- Pickering posted a time of 1:56.73, while Janssen recorded a 1:57.09 mark
- Senior All-American Darius 'Dash' Weathers finished third in the Charlotte 49er Classic triple jump (14.75 meters)
 
Wingate women's highlights
 
- Crawford's Saturday shot put effort of 13.59 meters is the best throw in the SAC to this point of the outdoor campaign
- Both gold-medalist Crawford and senior Carly Platt (bronze, 12.22 meters) stood on the Charlotte 49er Classic shot put podium
- Lexie May joined the WU honor roll in the javelin, thanks to her 29.27 meter throw
- Both Abby Heath and Amber Scott joined the WU career top 10 in the 800 meters
- Heath posted a time of 2:23.68, while Scott recorded a 2:24.73 mark
- Naiobi White recorded a time of 25.85 in the 200-meter dash, joining the WU career top 10
- Valerie Daehler had a busy day, competing in the triple jump (10.75 meters) and the high jump (1.63 meters)
- Daehler finished fourth in the Charlotte 49er Classic high jump competition
- She made the Bulldog career top 10 in both of her Saturday events
 
What They Are Saying
Wingate graduate student Elliot Zirwas
 
Today was a great start to the season. After a long year of training, it feels good to have a start like today. It's been a long time since competing, and to have an opener like this, I am very grateful. I want to say a huge thank you to Coach Billy, Coach Dakota, Coach Matt and the Wingate Sports Medicine staff for the help so far this year. I also want to thank my teammates, because this group of people pushes me every day. I could never achieve what I am able to achieve without them. I can't wait to see what is to come this season.
 
Wingate throws coach Billy Edwards

The Charlotte 49er Classic outdoor opener was a great meet with incredible performances all around! Elliot Zirwas has been training for months on end, dedicating his time and effort toward becoming the best thrower that he can be. Today with a new school record in the shot put of 18.38 meters, he has shown how hard work and dedication can and will pay dividends. I'm proud to say that I am his coach and I am excited for the future of the Wingate University track and field program.
 
Wingate University
 
Founded in 1896, Wingate University is a laboratory of difference-making that serves more than 3,400 students in North Carolina. Wingate offers 37 undergraduate majors as well as eight master's and five doctoral degrees. 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 a leader in healthcare education, and nearly one in five Wingate undergraduate students is preparing to be a pharmacist, physician assistant, physical therapist, occupational therapist or nurse. Student-athletes on Wingate's 24 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.

Wingate all-time top-10 highlights
 
Men
 
Elliot Zirwas - Shot Put 18.38 meters - school record
Jacob Pickering - 800 meters 1:56.73 - 4th
Ward Janssen - 800 meters 1:57.09 - 7th
Tanaka Nzombe - High jump 1.95 meters - 4th
Tom Kalliske - Shot put 14.97 meters - 4th
Tom Kalliske - Discus 40.26 meters - 8th
Tom Kalliske - Hammer 43.37 meters - 10th
Chase Franklin - 400 meter hurdles 56.83 - 5th
Chase Franklin - 110 meter hurdles 15.71 - 8th
Felix Nadeborn - 5000 meters 14:33.39 - 5th
Soheil Boufrizi - 5000 meters 14:46.98 - 10th
Jayden Johnson - Triple Jump - 13.97 meters - 7th
Charlie Wakefield - 1500 meters 3:59.56 - 8th
Brent Surratt - 1500 meters - 4:02.65 - 10th 
 
Women
Danielle Crawford - Shot Put 13.59 meters - school record
Carly Platt - Hammer 46.85 meters - 2nd 
Valerie Daehler - High jump 1.63 meters - 3rd
Valerie Daehler - Triple jump 10.75 meters - 9th
Valerie Daehler - Long jump 5.10 meters - 10th
Amber Scott - 1500 meters 4:46.17 - 5th
Amber Scott - 800 meters 2:24.73 - 9th
Abby Heath - 800 meters 2:23.85 - 8th
Zoe Brickley - 1500 meters 4:49.92 - 9th
Naiobi White - 100 meters 12.53 - 10th
Naiobi White - 200 meters 25.85 - 10th
Victoria McEachern - Javelin 27.21 meters - 10th