Montevallo, AL- Christian Brothers University stepped into the Gulf South Conference Championships facing deep, competitive fields, and while the podium was hard to crack, the Bucs still delivered key performances, highlighted by a top-three finish on the women's side and several strong efforts across both squads.
Men's Recap
The CBU men battled throughout the meet, competing across sprints, distance events, relays, and field events against some of the top talent in the conference.
In the sprints, Ryan Sims and Terrial Griffin represented the Bucs in the 100 meters, gaining valuable championship experience against a fast field. Sims returned in the 200 meters as well, continuing to contribute on the track.
The middle-distance group was led by Kilian Daude, who turned in a strong performance in the 800 meters with a 1:51.78 finish, placing him just outside the top five in a tightly contested race. He also played a key role in the 4x400 relay. Teammates Erwan Rostan, Barrou Etienne, and Thomas Saunders added depth in the 800 and 1500 meters, with multiple Bucs finishing in the middle of the pack in competitive distance fields.
In the 400 meters, Kylon Higgins posted a solid effort, while the distance crew continued to show consistency in longer races. Luke Holcombe led CBU in the 5,000 meters, finishing 17th, with William McCollough close behind.
The relays saw CBU line up in both the 4x100 and 4x400. The 4x100 squad of Sims, Griffin, Daude, and Kamren Moore pushed through to a sixth-place finish, while the 4x400 team of Barou, Rostan, Higgins, and Daude closed out the meet with a 3:27.75 effort.
In the field events, Joshua Dabney competed across the throws, highlighted by a personal-best 42.52 meters in the hammer throw, showing continued development and versatility.
While the men's side did not reach the podium, the group showed competitiveness and growth, with several athletes delivering solid championship-level performances against elite competition.
Women's Recap
The CBU women delivered the program's biggest highlight of the meet, earning a podium finish and showing strong performances across multiple events.
Leading the way was Gioia Scopel, who secured a third-place finish in the high jump (1.60m), giving CBU a spot on the podium. In a tightly contested event, Scopel's performance stood out as she cleared key heights and positioned herself among the conference's best.
Also in the high jump, Alexis Goodman added depth with a top-10 finish, reinforcing CBU's presence in the event.
On the track, Laura De Llano led the Bucs in the 800 meters, finishing 13th in a deep field, while teammates Danielle Booker, Anna Angeliki Zannetou, and Phoebe Steel added depth in the same event. In the 1500 meters, Kaley Byrd paced CBU with a personal-best performance, highlighting the development of the distance group.
The steeplechase saw another strong showing from Byrd, who finished seventh with a personal best, just outside scoring positions but firmly competitive.
In the sprints, Madison Woolridge and Micaiah Halliburton represented CBU in the 100 meters, while Woolridge doubled back in the 200. The 4x100 relay team of Woolridge, Jackelin Ruiz, Denise Brouwer, and Scopel placed sixth, and the 4x400 relay squad of De Llano, Steel, Zannetou, and Booker added another sixth-place finish to close out the meet.
The GSC Championships tested CBU against some of the strongest competition in the region. While podium opportunities were limited, Gioia Scopel's top-three finish provided a defining moment for the Bucs.
Beyond that, the meet showed progress, with personal bests, competitive finishes, and athletes stepping up across multiple events. It may not have been a podium-heavy weekend, but it reflected steady growth and a foundation to build on moving forward.
