BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Albion College track & field Coach Lance Coleman said his team had a good week of spring break training in Panama City Beach, Fla., and it paid off in the Britons first outdoor meet of the season in the Southern Invitational at Birmingham Southern College.

The distance runners set the tone as Mitchell Klingler broke the school record with a run of 14:47 in the 5,000 meters. He also finished third in the 1,500.

Paul Lewis turned in the fastest time in the steeplechase and he was the runner-up in the 1,500. Mitch Clinton produced a personal record of 9:49.01 in finishing second in the steeplechase and he finished eighth in the 1,500.

A personal record was also achieved in the 800 meters where Colin Howard put up a time of 1:57.95. Howard also joined Kyle Braun, Ben Kolanowski, and Brant McCollum in finishing third in the 4x400 relay.

Don Strite turned in a fifth-place finish in the steeplechase and a seventh-place performance in the 800. Blake Loudermilk was seventh in the steeplechase.

Justin Meredith was Albion's leader in the sprints, posting time of 10.93 in the 100 and 21.96 in the 200.

Alex Goricki led the Britons in the hurdles and jumps finishing second in the 110 hurdles and third in the 400 hurdles and triple jump.

Atraeyu Ishmon achieved a personal best in finishing third in the hammer throw. In other throwing events, Nick Bertoria was fifth and Mike Schepper eighth in the javelin. Alcott Covington and Tyler Kramer were fifth and seventh, respectively, in the shot put. Kramer added an eighth-place performance in the discus throw.

Albion's next competition is March 28 when it travels to St. Louis, Mo., for the Washington University Invitational.