Racer Track Hosts Margaret Simmons Invitational

For the third consecutive year, Murray State track and field team will host the Margaret Simmons Invitational. The meet will take place Friday, April 3 with field events opening at 12 p.m. and the running events beginning at 3 p.m. Admission is free to the public.

This is just the third outdoor meet for MSU this season after competing last weekend at the Bill Cornell Spring Classic in Carbondale, Illinois. Even with the meet being the third for outdoor season, the Racers have already made their mark in MSU history. Kiara Austin won the triple jump at the Spring Classic with a distance of 12.13m, while Brittany Bohn won the 1500m with a time of 4:36.40. Ali Hester ran the 1500m in 4:38.22 to put herself fourth on the Outdoor Best List. Freshman, Vallery Korir is now the second best outdoor 5000m in MSU history with a time of 17:03.37. Hester and Rebekah Priddy took third and eighth on the 3000m steeplechase list with respective times of 11:10.69 and 11:59.82.

Joining the Racers at the Invitational will be OVC rivals Austin Peay and Jacksonville State as well as Lane College.

Margaret Simmons, whom the meet derives its name, will be in attendance. Simmons is one of the most decorated coaches in MSU history. She coached the Racers men's and women's teams in parts of four decades from 1968-1991. She was a six time OVC Coach of the Year while guiding the Racers to eight OVC championships. Simmons was also the Assistant Athletic Director for MSU from 1988-2004 and was elected to the US Track & Field and Cross Country Hall of Fame in 2003.

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Players Mentioned

Kiara Austin

Brittany Bohn

Vallery Korir

Rebekah Priddy

Murray State University