By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Tech track and field program opens its 2021 outdoor campaign Friday, Mar. 12, making a trip south to Mobile, Ala. for the USA Invitational hosted by South Alabama at Jaguar Track.
USA Invitational Information
Mar. 12, 2021 – Located at Jaguar Track in Mobile, Ala. Field and throwing events are set to begin at 11:00 a.m. CT. Running events are scheduled for a 5:00 p.m. start.
The Field
The USA Invitational field consists of host South Alabama, as well as Alabama State, Huntingdon College, McNeese State, Meridian CC, Mobile College, New Orleans, Southeast Missouri, Southeastern Louisiana, Spring Hill College, Tennessee Tech, Troy, UCCS, West Alabama and West Florida.
What to Watch For
This marks the first outdoor event under the direction of head coach Peter Dalton after the Golden Eagles lost their 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It represents Tech's first outdoor track and field team meet since the OVC Championships back from May 9-11, 2019.
The new season welcomes in a plethora of newcomers to the purple and gold, with just eight upperclassmen among the ranks. Tech features 13 freshmen, six sophomores, three juniors and five seniors.
Four of Tech's senior leaders have experience competing for the Golden Eagles in outdoor competition, including Teauna Anderson, Courtney McCowan, Ceirra Tate and Keyanna Word. Anderson took part in both the 200m and 400m as a sophomore, while also competing as part of Tech's 4x100m relay, 4x400m relay and 4x200m relay teams. McCowan boasts experience in the 800m race in outdoor meets
A sprinter by trade, Tate took part in the 100m, 200m, 400m, 4x100m, 4x200m and 4x400m events during the 2019 season. Word is a veteran in a variety of throws, including the discus, javelin and shot put.
Tech's remaining senior, Tieara Norman, transferred to Tech last season from Fresno State and will compete with the Golden Eagles for the first time in 2021. She has experience in the 400m hurdles, 100m hurdles and the long jump.
Juniors Alexa Brugere and Jordan Toney also competed for the purple and gold back in 2019. Brugere, a member of the Tech cross country team as well, raced in the 1,500m and 800m while joining in on the action in the 4x400m relay. Toney got in work in the 100m, 200m and 400m hurdles as a freshman. Fellow junior, North Florida transfer Tina Cesnik, has yet to compete in outdoor track, but did run in the 800m in indoor competition last year as an Osprey.
Sophomores Jalena Curbeam and Anya Akili gained experience as freshmen during the 2020 indoor season. Curbeam competed in four meets, taking part in the triple jump and long jump, while Akili represented Tech in the 400m and 500m during the shortened season.
The Field
The USA Invitational field consists of host South Alabama, as well as Alabama State, Huntingdon College, McNeese State, Meridian CC, Mobile College, New Orleans, Southeast Missouri, Southeastern Louisiana, Spring Hill College, Tennessee Tech, Troy, UCCS, West Alabama and West Florida.
Up Next
Following a nearly two-week hiatus, the Golden Eagles will return to action for Mississippi State's Al Schmidt Bulldog Relays taking place in Starkville, Miss. from Friday, Mar. 26 through Saturday, Mar. 27.
Photo by Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information