GAMBIER, Ohio – The Kenyon College men's track and field team opened the North Coast Athletic Conference Outdoor Track & Field Championships with a strong day-one showing Friday, closing the first day in second place with 37 points on its home track at Wilder Track & McBride Field.

The Owls' biggest statement came in the 3,000-meter steeplechase, where Owen Rodstrom captured the conference title with a first-place time of 9:18.48, smashing his previous personal best of 9:31.05 set at the Bison Outdoor Classic on April 11, 2026. Colt Murphy added a fifth-place finish in 9:30.55, while Dylan Sibbitt secured eighth in 10:07.96, giving Kenyon 15 points in the event.

Kenyon also found points in the throws, led by Graham Yeager, who finished second in the discus with a mark of 44.90 meters (147-3). J'Sun Gardner later added points in the javelin, placing fifth with a throw of 46.69 meters (153-2). 

In the 10,000-meter run, Joshua Breard earned sixth place with a time of 32:50.34, while Henry Rodrigues finished eighth in 33:09.90. The pair combined for four more points in the 25-lap race. 

The Owls also had representation in the long jump, where Ezekiel Kiwanuka placed ninth with a mark of 6.54 meters (21-5.50), setting a new personal best and surpassing his previous mark of 6.45 meters. JT Casarico finished 21st with a leap of 5.61 meters (18-5). In the javelin, Joshua Greville placed 18th with a throw of 36.28 meters (119-0), while Leo Elder followed in 19th at 35.43 meters (116-3).

With six events scored, John Carroll leads the men's standings with 47 points, while Kenyon sits second with 37. The Owls will return to action Saturday for the final day of the NCAC Championships, with field events beginning at 10 a.m. and running events set to follow.