CLEVELAND, Tenn. – The Florida Southern men's and women's track programs opened up day one action at the Flames Invitational hosted by Lee University Friday night. Several strong performances happened on the track for the Moccasins but the top billing went to senior Mason Jones who surpassed his own school record in the 10000m by over 20 seconds. Sophomore Ellie Fluman led the women with the second fastest 10000m time in program history as well.   
 
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Location: Ray Conn Sports Complex | Cleveland, Tenn.
Host Institution: Lee University
 
TOP PERFORMERS
FLORIDA SOUTHERN MEN:

• Senior Mason Jones took third in the 10000m in a field that featured runners from several top programs including NCAA Division I programs. Jones was the top NCAA Division II runner in the event as he crossed the finish line in a school record time of 29:31.16 surpassing his previous mark of 29:53.08 which he set last season at the Flames Invitational. The time was also good enough for an NCAA provisional qualifying time. Junior Alex Guy posted the fourth fastest time in program history at 31:16.43 while taking 44^th overall in the 75-member field. Sophomore Bryson Yamnitz finished four spots back in 48^th with the fifth fastest time in program history at 31:23.35. The final Moc finisher was sophomore Owen Allen who finished in 66^th with the 11^th fastest time in program history at 32:29.63.
• Graduate student Joshua Wagner just missed out on surpassing Jones' 5000m school record which he set earlier this season. Wagner posted an NCAA provisional qualifying time of 14:24.98 which surpassed the previous school record heading into 2022 but Jones had already lowered the record to 14:19.08 earlier this season at the Tampa Distance Classic. Wagner took 11^th overall in the 113-member field. The time ranks as the second fastest 5000m time in program history.

 
FLORIDA SOUTHERN WOMEN:

• Sophomore Ellie Fluman ran the second fastest 10000m time in program history at 36:19.97 which also ranks as an NCAA provisional qualifying time. Fluman took 13^th overall in the event and finished just ahead of two runners from Grand Valley State.  
• Freshman Marisa Kortright was the top Moc finisher in the 5000m as she took 37^th overall in a time of 18:10.57. Classmate Emma Mussante finished six spots back in 43^rd after crossing the finish in 18:18.10. The final Moc finisher was freshman Julia Svartstrom who placed 67^th after stopping the clock at 18:41.02.

 
UP NEXT:
The Moccasins will wrap up competition at the Flames Invitational tomorrow, April 9 in Cleveland, Tenn.