The track teams traveled to their second meet of the season over the weekend at Vanderbilt University with some familiar faces highlighting the day in Nashville.
Athletes Jocselyn Powell, Dayo Akindele and Paris Williams continued their fine form from the Purdue meet, posting impressive statistics in their respective events.
Powell placed herself among the best in the 60m hurdles, placing second overall. Williams achieved a personal best of 8.12 seconds in the preliminary round of the 60m hurdles and went on to finish fifth overall in the final round.
Akindele posted another personal best of 15.59 meters in the triple jump, further solidifying himself as one of the best in the Atlantic Sun conference in that event.
Distance specialist Caitlyn Farrell ran a career-best time of 10:28.23 in the 3000m, boosting her prospects of making a medal position at the ASUN Championship later this season. The former West Georgia athlete holds three separate time records at UWG in distance events and finished as the Gulf South Conference Freshman of the Year for the fall 2015 cross country season.
Sprinter Tionna Fant, who competes in her first career indoor season this year, made her mark with a personal best time of 57.43 seconds in the 400m. A two-time participant in the Georgia Junior Olympic Track and Field Championships, Fant finished in 27th place.
As the defending conference champions, the Owls hold the burden of having to defend that title and to continue their quality. So far, the results have been impressive.
With the consistency shown by veterans and the desire shown by younger athletes, the Owls have started their season on the right track. Director of track and field and cross country Andy Eggerth insists that with success must come a mindset of continuous improvement and a willingness to grow.
“We had a blend of performances today,” Eggerth said. “Most were very positive moves in the right direction, but some of us think we’re trying hard not even realizing how much more we’re capable of when we get a bit tougher.”
The Owls head to Lynchburg, Virginia, Feb. 2-3 to participate in the Darius Dixon Memorial Invitational at Liberty University.
