WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (February 27, 2026) — Pfeiffer University delivered one of the strongest team performances in the brief history of the USA South Indoor Track & Field Championships on Friday, piling up event wins, podium sweeps and major relay victories across the board in a dominant afternoon at the JDL Fast Track
SPRINTS & HURDLES
Pfeiffer opened the day with a major highlight in the 60 meters, where
Jordan Jones advanced through prelims with a 6.86 and returned to finish third in the final in 6.90, breaking the previous meet record. Teammates
Jonathan Moran-Sanchez (7.10) and Michael Chapman (7.13) also put down competitive preliminary marks.
Jones came back in the 200 meters, winning Pfeiffer's first men's title of the day in 21.85, a new meet record. Pfeiffer added depth with Moran-Sanchez finishing in 22.23, Chapman clocking 23.10, and
Qaadir Royal right behind in 23.32.
MIDDLE DISTANCE & DISTANCE
Pfeiffer owned the middle-distance events.
Bricen Burleson captured the 800 meters in 1:58.63, lowering the meet record. Teammate
Carson Ritchie placed second in 2:00.22. Pfeiffer stacked the field with
James Lysiuk (2:02.56),
Fabian Candela-Godinez (2:03.45), and
Isaiah Watts (2:13.18)
Burleson returned in the mile, winning in 4:24.99, narrowly missing his own conference record. Pfeiffer swept five of the top six spots with Watts (4:27.19),
Oliver Candela-Godinez (4:29.02), Samuel Head (4:35.25), and
Triston Rabon (4:38.76).
The Falcons were equally dominant in the 3000 meters, taking the top three positions—Burleson (8:50.42),
Cannon Powell (8:51.63) and Jorge Clemente-García (9:01.54). Overall, Pfeiffer placed seven runners inside the top eight.
The team sealed its distance dominance in the 5000 meters, where Powell won in 15:28.37, followed by Clemente-García (15:32.70) and Ezequiel Canas (15:52.11) for another podium sweep. Pfeiffer athletes filled six of the top eight places.
RELAYS
Pfeiffer's biggest victory came in the 4x400 relay, winning the conference title in 3:22.70, a new meet record. The team consisted of
Jonathan Moran-Sanchez,
Carson Ritchie,
Cameron Ritchie, and
T'Andre Palmer.
The Falcons also won the Distance Medley Relay in 11:15.03, thanks to the lineup of
Kohen Johnson,
Owen Deaton,
Fabian Candela-Godinez, and
Oliver Candela-Godinez.
FIELD EVENTS
Pfeiffer picked up strong scoring marks in the jumps. In the long jump,
Jordan Jones finished fifth at 6.62m, followed by Royal (6.22m) and
Bernard Warren (5.55m).
Jordan Brooks placed ninth in the triple jump at 12.89m, while teammate
Sean Kerr (11.53m) rounded out the Falcons' efforts.
Kendrick Cornelius also scored with a 13.30m leap.
In throwing events, Pfeiffer placed four scorers in the shot put, led by
Cameron Sturdivant (11.77m), followed by
Alec Paraiso (11.11m), Andre Davis (10.50m) and
Rahnier Lyons (10.23m). Lyons rebounded in the weight throw, finishing fourth with 14.10m, while Davis added a mark of 12.34m and Sturdivant threw 11.18m.
Overall, Pfeiffer University delivered one of the most dominant men's performances in USA South Indoor Championship history—winning multiple individual titles, sweeping distance events, and capturing both men's relay crowns.
Sophomore
Bricen Burleson took home the Track Performer of the Meet award while head coach
Bob Marchinko was tabbed as the Coach of the Meet.
