PUEBLO, Colo. - Jermel Jones II highlighted the first day of competition for Azusa Pacific at the 2023 NCAA Division II Outdoor Track & Field Championships, as Jones II broke the Azusa Pacific school record in the long jump to become the national runner-up and earn All-American status. In addition to Jones II's performance, several multi athletes are in a great position heading into day two, while four individuals and the women's 4x100 relay qualified for the event finals by way of their efforts in the preliminary rounds throughout today.

JONES II BREAKS RECORD TO BECOME THREE-TIME OUTDOOR LONG JUMP ALL-AMERICAN 

Jones II's record-breaking leap was achieved on his sixth and final attempt of the day, as he soared to a distance of 8.10m (26' 7"), which was well over a foot further than any of his previous five attempts during the competition, and nearly a foot further than his previous personal-best of 7.85m (25' 9 ¼"). Jones II entered this weekend ranked third all-time in school history, as Benjamin Koech held the record of 26' 3" since 1992, and Kevin Wailey was second all-time at 26', which he achieved in 1996. 

Jones II is now a three-time outdoor long jump All-American (2021, 22, 23), and a five-time long jump All-American overall, as he achieved indoor All-American status in 2020 and was the 2022 indoor long jump national champion. Jones II is also set to compete in the triple jump tomorrow, an event in which he was an All-American in both the indoor and outdoor seasons last year.

WORRELL AND HENRY HOLD THIRD-PLACE SPOTS IN MULTIS AFTER DAY ONE

Aaron Worrell is in third-place after five events in the men's decathlon, and Alysa Henry is third in the women's heptathlon through four events. Worrell set two new PR's on day one, as he opened competition with a 10.79 second effort in the 100 meters, and then closed out Thursday with a 400 meters time of 49.85 seconds. In three of the five events, Worrell was a top-3 finisher.

Henry's first day was highlighted by her performance in the high jump, where she set a new PR in the event by over two inches. After Henry cleared six consecutive heights on her first attempt at each bar, including her previous personal-best of 1.68m (5' 6"), she then cleared a new PR of 1.71m (5' 7 ¼") on her first run at the height. Henry was not finished yet, as she then cleared 1.74m (5' 8 ½") on her first attempt at that bar as well. 

In addition to Worrell and Henry, Lincoln Krog is currently eighth in the decathlon (3,729 points) and Luisa Fischer is ninth in the heptathlon (3,067 points). Fischer wrapped up her first day of competition with a new personal-best in the 200 meters, posting a time of 26.70 seconds. Nicole Warwick started competition in the heptathlon, however, she was forced to withdraw from the meet due to injury.

COUGARS SECURE SPOTS IN FINALS

In the preliminary rounds on Thursday, four individuals and the women's 4x100 relay team secured spots in their respective event finals. The 4x100 relay team of Kiayra Holmes, Trinity Miller, Alayna Verner, and Jaylah Walker ran the 4th fastest time of the prelims this afternoon, as the quartet combined for a season-best time of 44.75 seconds. The 4x100 final will be on Saturday at 5:10 pm MT (4:10 pm PT). 

Philippine de La Bigne was the first individual to qualify for an event final, as she ran in the second heat of the 1500 meters prelims. de La Bigne placed fourth in her heat to earn an automatic qualifying spot for the finals (Saturday, 5:35 pm MT | 4:35 pm PT), and her time was 4:33.07. In the women's 400 meters prelims, Alayna Verner ran the second-fastest time of the day, as she crossed the line at 52.89 seconds to secure a spot in the finals on Saturday (6:15 pm MT | 5:15 pm PT). Verner's prelim time is a new personal-best.

Two Cougars claimed a spot in the men's steeplechase, as Nixon Korir and Felix Perrier each ran top-5 prelim times. Korir, the Azusa Pacific school record holder in the steeplechase, ran the second fastest time of the day at 9:13.02. Perrier posted the fifth-best prelim time, running 9:15.82. The steeplechase final will be tomorrow at 7:30 pm MT (6:30 pm PT).

Jaylah Walker was the last finals qualifier of the day, doing so in the women's 400 hurdles prelims. Walker ran the fastest time of the day, crossing the finish line at 59.10 seconds. 

Day two of Nationals will start tomorrow morning at 9:30 am MT (8:30 am PT). To follow the Cougar athletes competing, check out the Meet Central page right here on APUCougars.com, and tune in to the live results and live stream.