By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Tech outdoor track and field team kicks off the 2022 campaign, heading west for Ohio Valley Conference rival Murray State's Margaret Simmons Invitational, spanning Friday, Mar. 25 and Saturday Mar. 26.
Margaret Simmons Invitational Information
Mar. 25-26, 2022 – Located at the Marshall Gage Track at Roy Stewart Stadium in Murray, Ky. Friday's action will kick off with field events at 12:30 p.m. CT and continue with running events beginning at 4:30 p.m. Action will wrap up on Saturday, starting with field events at 9:30 a.m. and running events commencing at 12:00 p.m.
What to Watch For
The purple and gold enter the outdoor campaign with momentum after turning in a solid showing at the OVC Indoor Championships to close the indoor portion of the year. Tech placed fifth overall with 62 points behind a pair of incredible individual performances and a slew of clutch results.
Competing in her first indoor campaign, Cayla Johnson delivered 18 points for the Golden Eagles with a first-place showing in the pentathlon and runner-up performance in the long jump. She became just the third Golden Eagle ever to win the pentathlon, joining Kehmani Roberts (2018, 2019) and Sharnique Leonce (2017).
Also wrapping up her rookie indoor season, Ruby Wyles also accounted for 18 points across three events, including a medalist showing. Becoming just the second Golden Eagle ever to win the 5,000-meter run, she also placed fourth in the 3,000-meter run and helped Tech's distance medley relay team to a sixth-place finish.
Helen Pacurariu-Nagy produced nine points with a bronze showing in the 3,000-meter and as a part of the DMR squad. Anya Akili earned eight points with a fifth-place performance in the pentathlon and by helping the 4x400-meter relay team to a fifth-place effort. Jalena Curbeam also tacked on eight points with a runner-up finish in the triple jump.
Britnie Dixon (three) and Amanda Laboy (one) collected points in individual events as well while Amara Nwajagu totaled six while competing for a pair of Tech's relay teams. Trenia Stephens and Diamond Rush earned three as part of the 4x400-meter relay squad while Nyla Armand also picked up three points as a member of the DMR team.
Up Next
The Golden Eagles compete next at the UAB Spring Invite in Birmingham, Ala. on Friday, Apr. 1 and Saturday, Apr. 2.
Photo by Thomas Corhern
