CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Dylan Christopher and Joe Thoma set new personal bests as UNCG track opens outdoor competition at this year's 49er Classic. Hosted by Charlotte University, this weekend's 49er Classic was the first time the meet has been run since 2019, after the previous year's competition was cancelled due to COVID protocols. The Spartans have run in every 49er Classic since 2016.

Both the UNCG men and women opened competition in the 1500m, where Christopher turned in a new lifetime best of 3:59.92. The junior's pace was good for seventh among collegiate runners in the event in his first 1500m race in over two years.

The Spartans excelled in the men's 800m as well, with three participants crossing the finish line in under two minutes. Joe Thoma collected a new career best with his time of 1:55.21, taking sixth among the college-attached field. He was followed closely by brother Nicholas, who turned in a 1:57.92. 

The Spartan women competed in three events over the course of the day. Shay Soukup made her college debut in the 1500m with her time of 4:49.47. She and Kassidy Dill each competed in both the 800m and 1500m this Saturday. 

UNCG will not compete again until the start of next month, taking part in the High Point University-hosted VertKlasse Meeting April 1-2nd. The VertKlasse Meeting is a European-style meet that features a small amount of high-level competitors, and is based on the Weltklasse Zürich meet, a famed international meet held annually in Switzerland.

Top Performances
Men's 1500m
7. Dylan Christopher (3:59.92)PR

Men's 800m
6. Joe Thoma (1:55.21)PR 
Nicholas Thoma (1:57.79)

PR: Personal Record
SR: School Record
MR: Meet Record
FR: Facility Record
D: Event Debut

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