BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- Six George Fox track and field athletes started the weekend strong at the 2023 NCAA Indoor Championships, with a podium finish in the men's high jump and several other strong showings on the first day of competition.

Top Performances
Ethan Kassebaum jumped 24-00.75 feet in the men's long jump, good enough for a new GFU indoor record. Kassebaum's mark, a jump that beat his previous personal record by nearly two feet, gave the senior a third-place finish in the nation. In the same event, Andrew Quach jumped 23-00.50 and placed tenth. 

Ellie Rising also recorded a personal best in the women's 800 meter, running a 2:10 and finishing second in her preliminary race. The time also gives her the school record for the indoor 800 meter.

Taylor Phillips competed in the first wave of the men's heptathlon events today, running the 60 meter sprint, taking first place in the high jump (jumping 6-04.75 feet), and finishing fourth in the long jump and second in the shot put.  Phillips is currently third in the standings with three more events tomorrow.

Like Phillips, Brecken VadenHoek competed in a flurry of events as part of the women's pentathlon. VadenHoek raced in the 60 meter hurdles, and the 800 meter took fifth in the high jump, competed in the long jump, and threw the shot put as well. She sits eleventh in the nation. 

Coach's Thoughts
"We had a solid day one of competition and are looking forward to seeing how things shake out tomorrow," track and field head coach John Smith said, "Ethan put together a great performance and we will take that momentum into the final day."

What Comes Next
More Bruins compete tomorrow to round out the national meet, where the events start at 8 am ET.