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By: Stephen Williams

MONTEVALLO, Ala. – The Columbus State University track & field teams opened up the Peach Belt Conference Championship Thursday. The three-day championship is being hosted by Montevallo.
 
Xavier Matthews stood atop the podium after the 100 meters, hitting a NCAA provisional and winning the event in 10.45 seconds. Jalen Tolbert took fourth in 10.66 seconds and Caleb Williams finished right behind him in 10.72 seconds.
 
In the women's 100 meters, Shanila Chapman grabbed the bronze in 12.11 seconds and Jasmine Finch finished sixth in 12.16 seconds.
 
Quincy Smith captured third place for the Cougars in the 400 meters, crossing the line in 47.77 seconds.
 
Columbus State added team points in a trio of field events as well. Nate Blackmon took fifth in the long jump (7.01 meters), Peter Bennett ended fourth in the pole vault (4.10 meters) and Kayla Waters was eighth in the women's long jump (5.31 meters).
 
Amber Braswell closed out the scoring on day one with an eighth-place finish in the 10,000 meters in 42:51.47.
 
Several other Cougars and Lady Cougars set personal best times on the day. Rachel Dixon, Jastonie Hill and Katlyn Peerman did so in the 400 meters, as did Eva Salazar Torres and Charles Asouzu in the 1,500 meters.
 
The conference championship will continue with day two on Friday.