App State's men's and women's track and field teams achieved historic finishes at the Sun Belt Outdoor Championships, with the men placing second (128 points) and the women third (80.5 points). This marks the best performance since joining the Sun Belt in 2015, moving up from fourth place finishes in previous years. Notable achievements included three individual Sun Belt champions and a record-breaking pole vault by Matthew Gray, who cleared 5.84m, setting new standards in multiple categories.

By the Numbers
  • Men's team scored 128 points for a second-place finish, the highest in program history.
  • Women's team scored 80.5 points, marking a third-place finish, also a program best since joining the Sun Belt.
State of Play
  • Matthew Gray set a new pole vault record, ranking 13th in the world and 11th in NCAA history.
  • App State swept podium finishes in the 1500 meters and 3000-meter steeplechase, a first in men's history at the Sun Belt outdoor meet.
What's Next

Qualified App State athletes will compete in the NCAA East First Round from May 27-30 in Lexington, KY, aiming for advancement to the NCAA Outdoor Championships in June.

Bottom Line

App State's track and field teams demonstrated remarkable growth and achievement at the Sun Belt Championships, with both teams setting records and finishing strong. As they head into the NCAA East First Round, their recent successes boost confidence for future competitions.