LYNCHBURG, Va. — Day one of the NJCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships started off strong for Iowa Central.

The Tritons crowned a pair of national champions and positioned themselves atop the team standings in both the men’s and women’s races.

Noah Friske, David Dunlap, Pur Biel and Awet Yohannes won the distance medley relay to anchor the men, while Lea Grady claimed the shot put on the women’s side.

“There were a few events we didn’t do exactly what we wanted, but more importantly, there were many more events that we did much more than everyone else expected of us,” said Dee Brown, Iowa Central Director of Track and Field. “Our kids are excited and giving it their all over the course of these two days.”

After seven events, Iowa Central men have 47 team points with South Plains sitting second at 29.5. Coffeyville is third with 25 points. The Triton women lead after the same number of events with 57 points followed by Barton (41), South Plains (37), Iowa Western (28) and New Mexico (28).

Friske, Dunlap, Biel and Yohannes clocked a time of 10:10.39 to just edge Vincennes, which finished in 10:10.64 and Colby, which crossed in 10:11.64.

The Tritons scored 17 team points alone in the women’s 3,000 as Elenora Curtabbi was second in 10:09.52. Florance Uwajeneza finished third in 10:11.71 and Lilian Busienei was sixth (10:23.90).

A trio of distance runners placed in the Top-6 in the 5,000 as well led by Uwajeneza earning second in 17:08.32. Busienei was fourth in 17:25.85 and Rosalie Fish finished sixth in 18:06.03.

The distance medley relay of Lilia Alvarez, Tatyana McKenzie, Jade Ford and Curtabbi claimed a silver, finishing in a season-best time of 12:16.00.

Monise Barronette was seventh in the pentathlon and Kiya Wulf eighth.

Kelvin Bungei earned a bronze in the 5,000 with Noah Bundrock finishing seventh.

Jadon Watson placed third in the high jump and Ronniel Johnson tied for fifth. Michael Williams-Davis was fifth in the shot put with Elijah Barnes placing sixth and Jacob Wedig tying for eighth.

“It is amazing to see them compete at such a high level,” Brown said, “and even more exciting to see them support each other in various events.”

Action concludes here Saturday.