By Katherine Jamtgaard. LEXINGTON, Va. – The App State women’s track and field team’s first day of competition at the VMI Winter Classic was highlighted by a matched school record and eight top-five finishes. Six Mountaineers also advanced to Saturday’s women’s 60 meter and 60-meter hurdle finals.
Action resumes on Saturday with field events starting at 9 a.m. and track events at 10 a.m.
The Mountaineers went 1-2-3-4 in the women’s pole vault, led by sophomore Ava Studney, who matched the App State school record of 4.06m (13′ 3.75″). The record was set in 2004 by Suzanne Makinson. Graduate students Celia Agee and Noelle Meeker took second (3.60m (11′ 9.75″)) and third (3.45m (11′ 3.75″)). Sophomore Caroline Fowlkes placed fourth with a clearance of 3.30m (10′ 10″).
In the women’s 300 meters, freshman Nicole Wells stopped the clock at 39.05 for a personal best and first-place finish. Sophomore Daye Talley secured second with a personal best of 39.55. Wells’ time puts her second in the App State all-time list, while Talley’s time moves her to fifth.
Junior Catherine Breault set pace for the pack in the women’s 5,000 meters, clocking a personal best of 18:08.41 to place first overall. Fellow junior Abby Granberg also clocked a personal best of 18:35.82 to finish third.
Junior Daiyanna Cooper posted a season best in the women’s weight throw, recording a toss of 16.85m (55′ 3.5″) to place second overall. In the women’s long jump, freshman Gabrielle David placed eighth overall with a personal best leap of 5.54m (18′ 2.25″).
Advancements
Graduate student Alexia Moehling secured a spot in the women’s 60-meter hurdle final after clinching first with a time of 8.82 in the prelims. The women’s 60-meter hurdle final is slated for 11:10 a.m. on Saturday.
Five Mountaineers advanced to Saturday’s women’s 60-meter final. Freshman Jayla Adams led the Mountaineers, finishing second with a time of 7.60. Senior Taylor Smith, Wells, and freshman Kendall Johnson followed close behind, finishing third (7.62), fourth (7.64), and fifth (7.66), respectively. Talley rounded out the qualifiers with a time of 7.75 to place eighth. The women’s 60-meter final is slated for 11:20 a.m. on Saturday.
