GENEVA, OHIO - Jack Flood (Blue Point/Bayport-Blue Point) and Connor Christopherson (Morrisonville/Saranac) hold the top two spots in the decathlon and Mitch Ryan (Plattsburgh/Seton Catholic) advanced to the finals in the 3,000-meter steeplechase to highlight Cortland's performances during the opening day of the NCAA Division III Men's Outdoor Track and Field Championships.

The three-day event is being held at the SPIRE Institute, with the University of Mount Union serving as the host school.

Flood, the national champion in the heptathlon at indoor nationals this past March, currently leads the 20-athlete decathlon field with 3,611 points through five events. Christopherson, who finished third in the heptathlon indoors, is second through Day 1 of the decathlon with 3,561 points. Isaac Frazier of Simpson (Iowa) is third with 3,515 points and Tobias Muellers of Williams is fourth with 3,507 points.

Flood posted his highest points totals of the day in the final two events. He scored a meet-high 878 points in the high jump by clearing 2.08 meters (6' 9.75") and scored 705 points in the 400-meter dash with a time of 52.46 seconds. He also recorded 699 points in the 100-meter dash (11.76), 686 points in the long jump (6.45 meters/21' 2") on his third and final attempt after fouling on his first two tries, and 643 points in the shot put (12.61 meters/41' 4.5").

Christopherson's highest point total came in the 400 meters with a score of 799 points (50.34 seconds). He registered 771 points in the 100-meter dash with a third-place time of 11.41 seconds and 740 points in the high jump (1.93 meters/6' 4"). Christopherson also posted scores of 646 points in the long jump (6.27 meters/20' 7") and 605 points in the shot put (11.98 meters/39' 3.75").

The decathlon will wrap up Friday with the 110-meter hurdles, the discus throw, the pole vault, the javelin, and the 1,500-meter run.

Ryan earned a spot in the 3,000-meter steeplechase finals for the second straight year with his preliminary time of 9:19.23. He will be one of 14 competitors in the championship race Saturday morning at 11:45 a.m. Ryan finished fifth in his heat, with the top five finishers from each heat, plus the next best four times, advancing.

Also for the Red Dragons Thursday, Dev Williams (Syracuse/Corcoran) competed in the long jump. He fouled on all three of his attempts. Coast Guard's Darius Adams won the national title at 7.35 meters (24' 1.5").

In addition to the final five decathlon events, which starts at 10:30 a.m., Friday's action will also feature defending national champion Nick Vachon (Johnson City/Maine-Endwell) competing in the high jump, starting at 1:30 p.m., and Storm Malone (Harrison/Highland) competing in the 110-meter hurdles at 2:30 p.m.

Results Page (has tabs for each day's results/schedules)
Video Coverage for Day 2 (Friday)
Championship Page