COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Running in what should be its most competitive meet so far this season, the Tennessee Tech track & field team hopes to continue its assault on the school record books when it heads to South Bend, Ind., Friday and Saturday for the Meyo Invitational at Notre Dame.
Eight members of coach Wayne Angel’s team have qualified for the prestigious meet. In addition, two Golden Eagles will head to Carbondale, Ill., to compete Saturday in an invitational hosted by Southern Illinois University.
“We are very excited about the upcoming Meyo Invitational this weekend at Notre Dame,” Angel said. “This will be the most competitive meet that we have had to date and the level of athletes will offer our runners an exceptional opportunity for improving and continuing our bids to establish new school records.”
Friday’s schedule at Notre Dame finds Tech entries in the 60m, 200m, 5,000m and distance medley relay. On Saturday, Golden Eagles will race in the 60m finals, 400m, 800m, and 4x400m relay.
“Our primary reason for attending this meet is to give our top athletes the opportunity to compete and demonstrate their capabilities,” Angel said. “We are mindful that ‘great moments are born from great opportunity’ and this competition will serve as a catalyst for us to assemble the best team possible for the OVC championships later his month.”
On Friday evening, Tiara Hymon opens the action at 5:25 p.m. in the 60-meter dash. That’s followed at 6:05 p.m. by the 5,000m, with Purity Murray racing in the longest event of the meet. The distance medley relay foursome of Sarah Brandt, Crystal Liebenberg, Madison Stremler and Jenna Storms eyes the school standard at 7:45 p.m. in Tech’s first foray into that event this year.
The first night will be capped with the 200-meter dash at 8:50 p.m., with Hymon, Na’Asha Robinson and D’Airrien Jackson all looking to break the tape.
Saturday’s schedule opens for Tech at 9:45 a.m. with Murray running in the 3,000-meter race. If she qualifies for the finals, Hymon is back in action for the 60-meter dash at 11:05 a.m.. Liebenberg races in the early section of the 400-meter dash at 12:20 p.m., while Stremer and Brandt are in the 800m early section at 1 p.m.
The 400m invitational will feature Robinson and Jackson at 2:20 p.m., while the 4x400 relay wraps up the weekend. Tech’s relay foursome includes Robinson, Liebenberg, Jackson and Hymon.
Meanwhile, assistant coach Samantha Linck will take one jumper and one sprinter to SIU for the Don DeNoon Invitational.
NaScottisha Drummond will compete Saturday morning in the high jump, while Currin Washington races in the 400m and 200m events.
“The morale of our ladies is very high; they are well-prepared and ready to compete at a high level,” Angel said. “We are looking for some exciting things to happen this weekend.”
