WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - IU Indianapolis sophomore Riley Nixon broke the program record in the 1,500m event as members of the Jaguars' men's track team continued to excel on Friday (Apr. 17) at the Wake Forest Invitational. Nixon took advantage of a strong field and ideal conditions to spin a time of 3:47.24, breaking the previous record by nearly two-tenths of a second. 

Nixon's time was four seconds faster than his previous best as he finished fifth in a tightly contested heat. Later in the day, Luke Shappell clocked a time of 3:47.43, just missing a new personal best in the process. Earlier, freshman Eli Oetken popped a major personal best with a 1,500m time of 3:51.89, taking eight seconds off his prior best. 

"It felt great to run and it was even greater to break the record," Nixon said. "I can't wait to break it again at conference."

On Friday night, a group of Jaguars competed at the Little State Championships at Indiana Wesleyan, competing in the 5,000m and 10,000m events. The unseasonably warm conditions made fast times a near improbability as the Jags focused on racing at the two longest distances. 

Sophomore Joey LaPatra earned a runner-up finish in the 5K in a time of 15:32.11 while veteran Matt Mitsch was fifth overall at 15:38.72. Junior Nolan King was sixth overall at 15:40.27 as five Jags finished in succession. Behind King was Sam Grimes (15:43.13), Cameron Smith (15:47.76) and Zach Risner (15:48.72). 

Later in the evening, two Jags competed in the 10K event, paced by sophomore Carter Schorr's third-place finish at 32:57.13 in his first collegiate 10K. Behind him, Indiana-transfer Travis Hickner made his IU Indy debut with a time of 33:33.45, placing fifth overall. 

Seven more Jaguars are slated to compete at Indiana Wesleyan on Saturday to conclude the meet.