Dylan Lafond posted an NCAA II automatic qualifying mark in the 3000 meter steeplechase and Frederic Lang recorded a provisional qualifying mark in the steeplechase Friday as University of Mount Olive men's outdoor track and field runners competed in the Larry Ellis Invite, hosted by Princeton University. The meet was the Trojans' final competition before next weekend's Conference Carolinas Championship.
Lafond, who earned All-America honors in the steeplechase at last year's NCAA Division II Men's Outdoor Track and Field Championship, bested his own school record by 16 seconds with a time of 8:47.38 Friday. He eclipsed the automatic qualifying time of 8:53 by nearly six seconds. Lafond became the first runner in Conference Carolinas history to break the nine-minute mark in the steeplechase.
Lafond has now clinched berths in two events at this year's NCAA II Championship. He posted an automatic qualifying time in the 5000 meters at the Raleigh Relays in late March.
After coming within 0.45 seconds of a provisional qualifier two weeks ago, Lang posted a time of 9:17.78 in the steeplechase Friday. He earned an NCAA II provisional qualifying mark with more than eight seconds to spare.
Erasmo Ordonez finished with a time of 9:32.32 in the steeplechase, while Jacob Urys posted a time of 1:56.14 in the 800 meters. Urys came within four seconds of a provisional qualifying mark.
Mount Olive competes in the 2014 Conference Carolinas Outdoor Track and Field Championship Friday and Saturday at Banner Elk, N.C. The Trojans won conference men's and women's outdoor championships in 2011 and 2012, and won both the men's and women's indoor championships this year.