DURHAM, NC – Entering the final week of competition, Francis Marion University sent eight student-athletes to the Duke Twilight Meet on Sunday (May 3) in a final chance to improve their marks ahead of the NCAA Division II Championships.

Graduate student Ryan Hunter posted a fifth-place finish in the men's javelin after competing in the field with several professional and Division I athletes. He posted a mark of 63.58 meters on his first attempt, which eclipsed the NCAA provisional mark. Hunter entered today with the 16th-best mark in the country (67.04m), which would punch his ticket to the NCAA DII Track & Field Championships. The championship field will be announced on Tuesday, May 12, at 6 p.m.

Sophomore Rashawn Byrd delivered another strong performance in the men's triple jump after placing 10th overall in a field of 22 athletes. He produced a leap of 14.40 meters on his second attempt.

Fellow sophomore Aukeyonna Sims, a product of Darlington High School, finished 10th overall in the women's high jump with a clearance of 1.64 meters. In a field of 43 athletes, Sims placed 23rd overall in the women's long jump with a mark of 5.43 meters.

In the women's discus, sophomore Jazmine McDonald-Craft registered a 19th-place finish following a toss of 40.55 meters.

Junior Catherine Green and McDonald-Craft also competed in the women's shot put. Green finished 18th overall with a mark of 11.99 meters, and McDonald-Craft placed 24th with a heave of 10.74 meters.

In the men's 400 meters, sophomore Davin Staley recorded a personal-best time of 48.08 seconds to finish 20th. Fellow sophomore Alex Lance also competed and placed 23rd after crossing the line in 48.34 seconds.

Senior Rileigh Lacy posted a 27th-place finish in the women's pole vault after clearing 3.30 meters.