Murray State University Athletics
Murray State
Racer Invitational
Track and Field Takes First and Breaks Four School Records at Racer Invitational
4/18/2009 9:30:00 PM | Women's Track and Field
The Murray State track and field team hosted their first meet since 2004 and proved to be tough competition by capturing first place overall, breaking four school records, and capturing first place in 11 of the events.
Continuing the trend for the season senior field athlete, Shameka Dial broke her own record in the shot put with a toss of 48'06.00” (14.78m), almost a foot farther than her current record holding toss. Breaking tradition, Dial also broke the school record in the discus with a throw of 146'10” (44.75m), the previous record was held by Dawn Woodside with a throw of 145'3” in 1990.
Katelyn Jones also continued to be a strong competitor for the Racers by placing first and breaking the school record in the 3,000-meter run with a time of 9:44.84. The previous record was held by Jackie Murzynowski with a time of 9:55.80 in 1988.
The Racers captured the first four spots in the 3,000-meter run. Jones captured first (9:44.84), Kayla Crusham came in second (10:52.05), Bridget Stichnot took third (11:13.80), and Jami Kloenne finished fourth (11:18.58).
Taylor Crawford placed first in the 800-meter dash with a time of 2:13.46. This is Crawford's best time for the event this season, and places her at the top of the Ohio Valley Conference Best List going into the weekend.
“Great performances by the whole team,” said assistant track and field coach Chris England. “Katelyn Jones set another school record like she has been doing all season and Taylor Crawford continues to run strong and confident. It's great to have a home meet where our team's friends and families could come out and cheer them on.”
Alicia Temple also broke the school record in the pole vault with a vault of 11'06.25” (3.51m).
Other first place finishes for the Racers included the 4x100-meter relay team (46.74), only .38 seconds shy of the current school record; Amber Mills in the 400-meter dash (57.33), Olivia Joseph in the 100-meter dash (12.50), Sydney Gholston in the 400-meter hurdles (1:08.58), Audris Williams in the 200-meter dash (24.80), and Bernith Charlestain in the triple jump with a leap of 36'4.75” (11.09m).
Overall the Racers finished in first place with 74 points, Tennessee Tech came in second with 40 points, and
“It was a lot of fun and it was nice to be on our own track and to have other people see the improvements that have been made here. The crowd was really great as well,” said head coach Derrick Chavis. “I think we're doing well performance wise and our athletes are continuing to make progress. It was a great treat for our seniors to be able to be at home and to perform for their friends and families.”
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