By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – It was another strong meet full of personal records and improvement for the Tennessee Tech indoor track & field team Friday, as the Golden Eagles knocked out competition at the UAB Vulcan Invite in Birmingham, Ala.
Leading the way for the purple and gold with a podium performance in the high jump was Ally Beneke. The sophomore claimed first place with the Ohio Valley Conference's third-highest mark of the year, clearing 1.68 meters (5'6"). Madison Johnson placed fourth in the event with a jump of 1.63 meters (5'4.25").
Setting a new personal record in the long jump, sophomore Mattie Bush also took the podium with a third-place leap of 5.52 meters(18'1.5"). Joining her teammate in the finals of the long jump, Sidnee Stanton placed fourth overall with a mark of 5.49 meters (18'0.25").
Continuing the strong start to her young career, sophomore Carolina Bannach earned a fifth-place finish in the pole vault after clearing the mark of 3.51 meters (11'6.25"). In the triple jump, rookie Tyla Street delivered an impressive showing by placing fifth with a leap of 11.49 meters (37'8.5").
On the track, Rachael Brewer turned in a new PR in the 400-meter dash, blazing to a time of 59.86 seconds. Hannah Little dropped a massive career mark in the 200-meter dash, crossing the finish line at 25.80 seconds.
Covering the mile for the purple and gold, Hannah Faudi and Hayley Stegall each earned PRs in the event. Faudi clocked in at 5:17.08 while Stegall finished with a time of 5:19.91. A quartet of Golden Eagle distance runners delivered top-10 showings in the 3,000-meter run, earning third, fourth, fifth, and seventh.
Rookie Rylee Wells led the group with a time of 9:56.68 while newcomer Naomy Lokiles finished with a time of 9:56.76, both earning new career records. Makaleigh Jessee and Savanna Amos wrapped up the crew with a pair of PRs, clocking in at 10:07.88 and 10:11.57, respectively.
Representing the purple and gold while competing as individuals on the men's side of competition were a number of Tech cross country runners in the 3K. Carter Bradford paced the group by placing third with a PR of 8:19.86.
James Hyland finished sixth behind a personal record of his own with a time of 8:32.04. Zak Myles-Hawkins crossed the finish line at 8:40.40 while Robert Dawson closed the day with a time of 8:54.01.
Next on the schedule for the Golden Eagles is a return trip to Nashville for the Music City Challenge. Competition is set for Friday, Feb. 14 and Saturday, Feb. 15 at the Vanderbilt Multipurpose Facility.
File photo by Reily Rogers
