By Holly Weber, TTU Sports Information
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind.—The Tennessee Tech track and field team had a successful meet on Saturday at the Gene Edmonds Open at Purdue University with the day's action highlighted by Micayla Rennick breaking a school record in the 3,000-meter race.
"I was very pleased with the outcome of the meet today," head coach Wayne Angel said. "We competed hard and with a lot of intensity. The team returned from Christmas break ready to rock and roll. It's still very early in the season and there is much work to be done. But I am satisfied that we are moving in the right direction."
Rennick smashed the record held by former Golden Eagle Stephanie Place with a time of 9:50.99. Place's former record of 10:04.39 was set on Feb. 28, 2009 at the OVC Championships. Rennick placed second over in the 3K in a field of 24 runners, coming in just three seconds shy of the lead runner from Northern Illinois.
"Micayla was awesome today. She broke a very good 3K record that was set by one of Tech's all-time greats. It's very special to have athletes that are so coachable."
Also finishing well for the Golden Eagles was Sarah Brandt who placed second overall in the 800-meter with a time of 2:16.98 in a field of eight runners. Na'Asha Robinson also had a solid performance for the Purple and Gold, placing second overall in the 200-meter dash with a time of 24.74 in a field of 24 runners. Andrea Retano also competed in the 800-meter and placed seventh with a time of 2:43.06. Others finishing in the 200-meter dash were Jaydean Joseph who came in 10th with a time of 26.32, Na'Scottisha Drummond who placed 20th with a time of 27.94, Brittany McGee who placed 22nd with a time of 28.91, and Eshe Robinson who placed 23rd with a time of 29.38.
Raven Smith competed in the triple jump and long jump for the Tech squad, coming in fifth in the triple jump with an 11.14 mark, while placing 10th in the long jump with a 4.59 mark. Three Golden Eagles competed in the shotput, Antonia Susnjar finished fourth with a 10.66 throw, while Sharnique Leonce placed seventh with a 9.85 mark, and Eshe Robinson placed eighth with a 9.12 mark.
Na'Scottisha Drummond also competed in the high jump where she placed seventh overall with a 1.56 mark. In the 60-meter dash, Na'Asha Robinson led the Golden Eagles finishing 10th overall with a time of 7.78, while Sharnique Leonce placed 16th with a time of 7.96, McGee placed 23rd with a time of 8.42, and Eshe Robinson placed 25th with a time of 8.63. E. Robinson also competed in the 60-meter hurdles where she placed ninth with a time of 9.45.
Anna Cooper competed in the mile and placed 16th overall with a 5:40.61 time, while Jaydean Joseph placed 10th in the 400-meter with a time of 1:01.45 and Sharnique Leonce also competed in the 400-meter with a 1:04.16 mark.
Madison Stremler and Molly Griffin competed in the 600-meter. Stremler placed fifth overall with a time of 1:42.09, while Griffin finished ninth overall with a time of 1:52.29.
Rounding out the day's festivities, two Tech groups competed in the 4x400-meter relay. The assembly of N. Robinson, Joseph, Leonce, and D'Airrien Jackson placed fourth overall with a time of 4:01.71, while the collection of Rennick, Brandt, Stremler, and E. Robinson finished 10th overall with a time of 4:33.92.
The Golden Eagles return to action on Saturday, January 14, when Tech travels to Champaign, Ill., to compete at the Illini Classic.
Photo by Thomas Corhern
