NIACC's Thomas sets school record in long jump

• Thomas sets school record in long jump
• Vais wins 800, qualifies for nationals
• James places 2nd in 200
• Marroquin places 2nd in 600

CEDAR FALLS - NIACC's Terrence Thomas' first collegiate track and field meet will be one to remember.

Thomas, a freshman from Antigua and Barbuda, won the long jump on Friday at the University of Northern Iowa's Jack Jennett Invitational inside the UNI-Dome. Thomas won the event with a school record jump of 24 feet, 3 inches (7.39 meters). The jump also qualified Thomas for the NJCAA national indoor track and field meet.

Thomas' leap of 24-3 broke the old school indoor long jump record of 22-2 3/4 by TC Jokumsen on Feb. 21, 2009 at the UNI Panther Open.

NIACC sophomore Jacob Vais, who is from Charles City, won the 800-meter run in a time of 1:56.72, which qualified him for the national indoor track and field meet.

Vais' personal best time in the 800 of 1:56.72 ranks fifth on the school's all-time indoor 800 list.

Also for the Trojans at their season-opening indoor meet, freshman Tyreese James, who is from Tortola, British Virgin Islands, placed second in the 200-meter dash (22.87) and placed fifth in the 60-meter dash (7.01).

The 22.87 in the 200-meter dash by James is tied for seventh on the school's all-time indoor 200 list. The 7.01 by James in the 60-meter dash ranks fifth on the school's all-time indoor 60-meter dash list.

NIACC freshman Chris Marroquin, who is from Prospect Heights, Ill., placed second in the 600-meter dash in a time of 1:29.80.

NIACC sophomore Bryson Canton, who is from Cedar Rapids, placed fourth in the mile in a time of 4:32.21. Freshman Owen Almelien, who is from Greene, was sixth in the mile (4:33.71).

Also in the 800, NIACC's Hugo Massa was third (2:00.50), Joey Ringo was fifth (2:13.61) and Eli Bergman was sixth (2:14.23).

NIACC men's track and field indoor bests