Click here to view UAB Blazer Invitational meet
information (PDF)
Click here to view UAB Blazer Invitational meet schedule
(PDF)
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Tech track & field
team gets its first taste of action this weekend when first-year
head coach Wayne Angel takes a roster of 15 athletes to the UAB
Blazer Indoor Invitational in Birmingham.
The fourth edition of the meet, set for Friday and Saturday, will
take place at the Birmingham CrossPlex. Running events begin at
2:30 p.m. CT on Friday, with field events starting at 12:30
p.m.
A large field of 22 teams will present a stiff challenge to the
Tech team in its 2015 season debut, especially with many of those
squads having already competed at early indoor meets in December.
Joining Tech and host UAB will be Alabama A&M, Alabama State,
Arkansas‐Pine Bluff, Birmingham Southern, Florida, Jackson
State, Johnson C. Smith, Louisiana-Monroe, Louisiana Tech,
Mississippi College, Mississippi State, Mississippi Valley State,
Middle Tennessee State, University of New Orleans, Shorter, South
Alabama, Tennessee, Tennessee State, Trevecca, and West
Alabama.
Hoping to build upon the first steps taken during the 2014 cross
country season, Angel and his student-athletes look to continue
building the Tennessee Tech program during the coming indoor and
outdoor seasons.
“From the first day on the track to the final competition
this spring, we will be looking for each person on our team to
develop, improve and learn what it takes to elevate this program
into a contender,” Angel said. “They will learn how to
become better individually, and that growth and progress will make
our team better, overall.
“It’s not a process that happens overnight, but
something that must be a steady climb,” he said. “The
meet this weekend is just the beginning, and every person on the
team understands how important is will be to get started in a
positive direction.”
Tech’s lineup this weekend will include seven competitors
seeing their first track & field action for the Golden Eagles.
That group includes distance runners Baylee Balgemann, Anna Cooper
and Lera McNamara who got their first taste of collegiate
competition during the cross country season. Other first-time
Golden Eagles are true freshman Madison Stemler, Kayla Turnage and
Christina Driscoll, and redshirt freshman Ashley Lowe.
Returnees Chelsea Mills, Tiara Hymon, Brooklyn Kimball and
Brittany McGee plus newcomer Driscoll are scheduled for the most
hectic weekend. Mills will compete in four individual events (400m,
60m high hurdles, high jump and long jump) while Hymon and Kimball
(photo above, right) are set for three individual events (60m, 200m
and 300m) and the 4x400-meter relay. McGee is also listed to
compete in three individual events (60m, 300m and 400m) and the
4x400m.
Among the rookies, Driscoll will get the most tests on her first
weekend as she competes in four individual events. Her events will
include the 800m, and she will compete alongside Mills in the 60m
high hurdles, high jump and long jump.
Atlanta Westbrook (photo above, left) is also listed to compete in
three events, including both the 4x400-meter relay and the distance
medley relay, along with the triple jump.
Results of the weekend meet will be posted online when they become
available.
Events at the UAB Blazer
Invitational
Baylee Balgemann – 3,000m
Anna Cooper – 800m, DMR
Christina Driscoll – 800m, 60HH, HJ, LJ
Tiara Hymon – 60m, 200m, 300m, 4x400m
Brooklyn Kimball – 60m, 200m, 300m, 4x400m
Makayla Kington – SP
Landry Loving – 800m, DMR
Ashley Lowe – SP, WT
Brittany McGee – 60m, 300m, 400m, 4x400m
Lera McNamara – 3,000m
Chelsea Mills – 400m, 60HH, LJ, HJ
Madison Stemler – 500m, DMR
Jaelyn Todd – WT
Kayla Turnage – 200m, 300m, 4x400m
Atlanta Westbrook – TJ, 4x400m, DMR