GAINESVILLE, Fla. - The Flagler College men's track team pulled in multiple person records in their distance season opener Friday morning at the RADD Sports College Invitational at the Alachua County Sports Complex at Celebration Pointe.

Making a triumphant return to the track, Brandon Knieja led the Saints in the 3000 meter race this morning. Finishing 10th out of 66, Knieja ran a 8:27.86 in his first race of the 2024-25 academic year. Teaming up with Knieja was fellow senior Francisco Ramirez who finished 11th overall with a new personal record - 8:32.03 . A standout in the long distance events, Ramirez had been holding on to his previous record since the winter of 2023. Ethan Tank was neck and neck with the duo till the very end where he dropped to 13th overall with a new personal record of 8:35.21.

Luke Larkin wrapped up his race in an all-eyes-on-me performance where he had a photo finish, resulting in him winning his heat. Separating first from second by .62 of a second, Larkin launched himself to 14 overall with an incredible 8:37.13 finish. 

Jon Eide and Romain Biguet went toe-to-toe on the finish line, with Eide emerging victorious. Eide beat his previous best with a new time of 8:38.12 while Biguet came in with an 8:38.77. Biguet raced in Larkin's heat, placing him third respectively.

Dieumerci Ufitimana looked solid in his race, topping his previous best by a second, with a time of 8:42.14. Logan Burch tagged along, cracking nine minutes for the first time in his collegiate career. Burch ran just under 20 seconds faster than his previous best with a new 8:53.87. Adrian Abercrombie was the final personal record runner for the Saints, smashing his previous best for a new 9:12.65.

The men will take to the track again next week for a two-day special on Friday, Jan. 31 to Saturday, Feb 1.