The Mississippi State University’s track and field team traveled to Fort Worth, Texas, this past weekend to compete in the fifth annual TCU Invitational.
Despite windy weather, the team finished with great performances that set six regional qualifying marks. The men’s team set four and the women’s team set two.
Leaving all other runners behind in the 300m steeplechase, Cassie Hanan and Michelle Kinney concluded in first and second with times of 11:45.55 and 11:50.73.
Freshman Joy Griffith finished runner-up in the 1500m and set her career best time of 4:46.62.
Taking first and second in the 800m, Tiffany McWilliams and Jennifer McPherson finished the race in 2:05.95 and 2:12.21. McWilliams set a regional qualifying mark and McPherson set a career-best time.
“I anticipated on running faster than I did,” McPherson said. “It was a really windy day and I ran my best time, so I am happy with my performance.”
Finishing second in the high jump, Jasmine Walls leaped to her personal best with a height of 5-6. Lacey Johnson finished third in the pole vault with a mark of 10-11.
Coming up just one inch short, Crystal Averitt almost tied her school record in the discus with a mark of 157-1. Averitt ended with a second place showing in the event and recorded her second regional qualifying mark.
Setting a new and improved personal best, Jennifer Johnstone heaved the discus to a mark of 148-10. Johnstone finished with a fourth place finish.
“My throw was about a six-foot improvement,” said Johnstone. “I was really happy with it; this was a really good mark for me.”
With a little help from the wind, LaChristopher Lewis and Arthur Davis both led the men’s team to outstanding performances by recording their second regional qualifying times in the 200m dash. Lewis finished the race in 20.71 and Davis crossed the line not far behind in 21.15.
Completing the 1500m in second and third with career best times were Ryan Irwin with a 4:03.28 and Gedame Ege with a 4:05.12.
Brett Marlin took third in the 3000m steeplechase with a time of 9:50.09. Senior Elmore McConnell took top honors in the 800m with a time of 1:51.14.
“I think I was able to perform well considering the windy conditions,” said McConnell. “In the 800m, the wind is not a good thing.”
McConnell added: “I started off with a runner in front of me so he would block the wind for me, but the last 100m I kicked it and pushed in for the victory.”
Competing in the long jump, Lewis had the wind on his side once again. He finished in first and set his third straight regional qualifying mark with a 25-1.
Fourth place in the shot put went to Matt Whalen who marked a place at regionals with a measure of 54-2 1/2. JD Erickson heaved the discus to 165-5 for third place.
The team’s next showing will be the Penn Relays in Philadelphia, Pa., Thursday.