Murray State University Athletics
MSU Duo Earns OVC Honors - Indoor Championship Begins Friday
2/28/2008 4:00:00 PM | Women's Track and Field
The Murray State track and field team was rewarded for their record-breaking season today, as Shameka Dial and Katelyn Jones were named Ohio Valley Conference Field Athlete of the Year and Freshman of the Year, respectively.
For Dial, the award caps off a very successful 2008 indoor regular season. The senior from Murray broke two school records in the 20-pound weight toss and was named OVC field athlete of the week three times during the last four weeks of the season. Her weight throw of 58'06.75" on Feb. 22 at the Broadway Prescription Invitational in Cape Girardeau, Mo., is the best toss in the OVC this season, and her shot put of 44'09.75" on Feb. 9 at the McDonald's Invitational in Carbondale, Ill., ranks fourth on the OVC Best List. Teammate Dominique Robinson won the Indoor Field Athlete of the Year award last season.
This is the first time that Murray State has ever had back-to-back OVC Indoor Field Athletes of the Year, and the first time since 1992 and 1993 that MSU has had back-to-back track or field athletes of the year (Heather Samuel won Track Athlete of the Year both years).
In Jones, the Racers have their first OVC Freshman of the Year in the history of the program. Heading into the OVC Indoor Championships, Jones holds the top mark in the OVC in the 3,000 meter (9:56.01; done on Feb. 2 at the Indiana Relays in Bloomington, Ind.), and the second-fastest time in the mile at 5:00.90 (Jan. 25 at the Gladstein Invitational in Bloomington, Ind.). Jones was also named the OVC track athlete of the week for the week of Feb. 5.
After breaking six school records in 2008, the Racers will travel on Friday to
The Racers will be vying for a top spot in the conference with athletes that have already proven their talent.
Head coach Dereck Chavis said he is looking forward to see how his team competes in the most important meet of the indoor season.
“Ultimately, I know we have talent - it is just putting it together for the OVC meet by approaching it in a process oriented manner,” Chavis said. ”That will allow us to achieve the success we want to attain. The key to our success will be breaking the form chart.”
In the throws, seniors Dial and Robinson have already broken school and personal records in the weight throw and shot put. Dial and Robinson are ranked in the top five in the weight throw with a first and second spot respectively. In the shot put, the two are looking to score points and both are ranked in the top six. Last season, Robinson and Dial finished 1-2, respectively, in the OVC Indoor Championships.
In the distance events, sophomore Taylor Crawford is ranked first in the 800 meter run with a time of 2:15.38. She is looking to better her fifth place finish from last year. Also, Jones is ranked second in the mile with a time of 5:00.90 and first in the 3,000 meter run with a time of 9:56.01.
However, Jones said she is most excited about the Racers' Distance Medley Relay because of the team aspect. The record setting DMR is ranked second with a time of 12:11.08. The relay is comprised of Meagan Richeson, Sydney Gholston, Asenath NaAmen, and Katelyn Jones.
In sprints freshman Audris Williams has been tearing up the track all season. Williams is ranked seventh in the 60 meter dash with a time of 7.83 which gives her a chance to make finals in the event. Her freshman teammate, Amber Mills also has a chance to score with a season best time of 25.88 in the 200 meter dash.
In jumps, Maggie McKay is looking strong in the high jump. The junior is ranked fourth with a height of 5'05”. In pole vault, Alicia Tempel ranked seventh and is looking to improve her height of 10'.
First-year assistant coach Chris England said he is very excited to take part in his first conference championship.
“Our team, as a whole, gels well and their fitness and performances have been improving throughout the season,”
