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The High Point University men's track & field team went 1-2-4 in the 10,000-meter and got a runner-up finish from freshman Josh Pelletier in the javelin on the first day of the Big South Championship on Thursday in Charleston, S.C. Senior Jesse Cherry set the championship meet record while winning the 10,000-meter and was followed by senior Cole Atkins in second and sophomore Neal Darmody in fourth.

“I was extremely pleased with getting a national-caliber throw in the javelin and dominating the 10K,” said HPU head coach Mike Esposito. “Jesse got the conference record in the 10K while racing in a team-oriented way. It was the same with Cole and Neal. I was very pleased with Mike Ali's race too. The purpose at the conference championship is to the best possible place, not the best time.”

In the 10,000-meter, the top group ran together for several miles before Cherry began to pull away. He pushed the pace over the last two miles for a convincing win. His time of 30:13.20 bested the meet record of 30:26.89 by Terah Kipchiris of Coastal Carolina in 2004.

Behind Cherry, Atkins dueled with Liberty's Josh Edmonds over the last several laps before outkicking Edmonds for the runner-up finish in 30:20.70. Edmonds finished in 30:25.29. Darmody overtook runners from Winthrop and Liberty for his fourth-place finish in 31:14.60. Sophomore Mike Ali placed eighth in 33:08.34.

Pelletier uncorked his career-best throw of 216-5 on his third attempt in the javelin to reset his HPU record. His previous best was 196-2 at the Wake Forest Open. Coastal Carolina's Jason Flanagan won the event with a throw of 219-11 on his fourth attempt.

“Josh had a strained muscle earlier this season and we took a gamble in his training and took some time off. It was a gamble that went in our favor today,” said HPU assistant coach Eric Dudley. “In his early throws today he was a little off rhythm from not throwing for so long. I was able to notice some changes he could make. It was a credit for him to listen and be able to make those adjustments, then come out with a monster throw.”

The meet continues on Friday at 11 a.m. at Charleston Southern' s Bagwell/Settles Track facility. Friday's events include the trials of the 1,500-meter and 800-meter, where HPU has some of the top performers. Senior Josh Morgan ran a career-best 3:46.13 in the 1,500-meter at the Joe Hilton Carolina Fast Times meet last weekend at UNC, which is the top ranking in the Big South. Junior Jevin Monds has the third-ranked time in the Big South and freshman Dakota Peachee has the No. 4 ranking in the 1,500-meter going into the championship meet. Morgan is also ranked second in the 800-meter.

Junior TJ Brancaccio is also close to the top ranking in his event, as his 15-3 in the pole vault lists second. That event takes place on Saturday at 11 a.m.