COMPLETE RESULTS

Sophomore Jacob Smith of the High Point University men's track & field team placed 18th in the 3,000-meter steeplechase at the first round of the NCAA Championship on Friday in Bloomington, Ind. Smith finished in 8:58.10.

"Jacob had a few bad barriers but he closed well and had a solid race," said HPU head coach Mike Esposito. "Finishing 18th as a sophomore is solid for Jacob and a good experience at the NCAA level. He finished out a really strong outdoor season."

In April, Smith placed second in the 3,000-meter steeplechase and third in the 5,000-meter at the Big South Championship. His 8:54.24 in the steeplechase was an HPU record.

On Thursday, junior Neal Darmody placed 39th in the 10,000-meter in 30:57.43, finishing the best season of his collegiate career. He earned All-Conference honors during cross country, indoor track and outdoor track. Outdoors, Darmody won his first Big South Championship, taking the 10,000-meter, and also placed second in the 5,000-meter. This year, he ran career bests in the mile (4:14.14), 5,000 (14:25.39) and 10,000 (29:54.25).

The first round of the NCAA Championship concludes the outdoor season for the men's track & field team. The Panthers will look to the 2011 cross country season and try to improve on last year's runner-up finish at the Big South Championship.