SALEM, Va. – Averett University men's and women's track and field opened up the 2025 campaign with a visit to Roanoke's Finn Pincus Invitational.

At the meet named in honor of Averett's first ever track and field head coach, the Cougars rolled in looking to expand on a stellar 2024 season. Averett competed in a number of events over the course of Day 1 action.

The women's team got out of the blocks first as the slate of events started with the women's 60M dash. Sophomore Hailey Juhasz led the Cougars in the event, sprinting to a time of 8.37, good for a 30th-place result. Sophomore Leah Brethren followed behind Juhasz, with a time of 8.78, while senior Saida Bangura rounded out the top three with a time of 8.80.

The sprinters from Averett's men's team took center stage next in the men's 60M dash. Fifth year Nick Andrews paced the Cougars, running to a 39th-place result with a time of 7.26. Sophomore Jamahrie Owens followed with a time of 7.50.

Juhasz stepped up once again for Averett, as the squad's lone entry into a 300M race against seven competitors representing Gardner-Webb University. Juhasz showed very well against stiff competition, finishing fifth with a time of 46.17.

As Friday's action shifted to distance events, sophomore Azael Quintero posted a time of 1:38.2 in the 600M run. A quartet of Cougars' runners competed in the men's distance medley relay. Senior Jaden Carter, sophomores Ke'Vannio Smith and Quintero, and freshman Hunter Moss raced to a sixth-place finish in the DMR.

The women's 3000M run wrapped up the Friday schedule. Sophomore Gabrielle Griffin competed for the Cougars and placed 16th with a time of 11:53.11. Her sub-12 minute time marks a personal best and a new program record for the sophomore distance specialist, breaking the record she already held.

With Friday in the books, Averett track and field turns its attention to Day 2 action, kicking off at 10:30 a.m. Saturday.