PITTSBURG, Kansas - Azusa Pacific track & field opened up two days of competition at the 2024 indoor national championships, highlighted by Nicole Warwick's performance in the women's long jump. Warwick also punched a ticket to Saturday's finals in the 60 hurdles. Eliana Saunders also had a successful day with an All-American performance in the women's high jump. On the men's side, Nico Melendres captured All-America second-team honors with his performance in the 800m. 

WARWICK'S NATIONAL TITLE AND FINALS QUALIFICATION
Warwick earned gold with a lifetime-best leap of 6.55m (21'6"). With this mark, she broke the NCAA Division II Indoor all-time record. The previous record of 6.49m (21'3.5") had remained untouched for nine years until Friday. In addition to the Division II record, Warwick improved upon the school record that she set last year. Warwick sat in the driver's seat for most of the event, only falling to second place for one round before reclaiming first. She sealed her fate on her fifth attempt to take the top spot on the podium. With her first-place finish, Warwick earned the Cougars ten points, strongly contributing to their fourth-place standing heading into day two. 

In the 60 hurdles, Warwick ran 8.42 to qualify for the finals on Saturday. She sits in fourth place heading into the finals and will look to add another All-American performance to her resume. 

SAUNDER'S AND MELENDRES'S ALL-AMERICAN PERFORMANCES
In the women's high jump, Eliana Saunders cleared 1.75m (5'8¾") to take third place and earn first-team All-America status for the third time in her career. Her finish earned the Cougars six more points, leaving Azusa Pacific with 16 points to end the day. 

On the men's side, Nico Melendres ran 1:51.56 for 8th place in the preliminaries of the 800m. Because of the automatic qualification rules at the NCAA championships, despite Melendres's time being among the eight fastest, he did not qualify for the finals. The ninth-fastest runner won his respective heat, ensuring a place in the finals and therefore claiming the 8th spot. Melendres claims All-America status for the first time in his career, earning the second-team distinction.  

Up Next: The Cougars are back in action tomorrow with the second day of the indoor championships in Pittsburgh, Kansas. To view tomorrow's competition schedule and live results, CLICK HERE.