Lexington, Ky. - Appalachian State University men's track and field was once again led by Ryan Hastings who won the 800 for a third time in as many meets as the Mountaineers placed five in the top five at the Kentucky Invitational.

Prior to this weekend, Hastings came in at first in the 800 at both the Appalachian Open (1:54.44) and the ETSU Invitational (1:55.43), and that trend continued this weekend in Lexington. The sophomore won the event with a personal-best time of 1:52.56. That mark moves Hastings up to fourth in the school's record book.

Behind the long sprinter, freshman Tristian Shaver achieved the first top-three placing of his collegiate career by finishing in third for the pole vault with a mark of 16-6.75. After just the second meet of Shaver's career, that elevation is tied for second in program history.

The three other top-five finishers included William Buckley in the 60-meter dash (fifth/6.90), Kimani Hoffman in the triple jump (fifth/46-9) and the team of Ian Milder, Hastings, Evan Laratta, and Evan Georges in the distance medley relay (fifth/10:15.46).

When looking at the dual scores, the Black and Gold defeated Mississippi 87-52, but fell to homestanding Kentucky, 63-87.

Appalachain is off for two weeks before it will host the Mountaineer Open on Jan. 29-30.