Bailey's throwing efforts, six overall PBs cap Shawnee State women's track and field's efforts at Cherry Blossom Invite
ATHENS, Ohio -- Another competitive hammer throw effort by Jaina Bailey and six personal best efforts by the Shawnee State women's track and field program as a whole allowed Conner Flynn's group to enjoy a competitive effort at the Cherry Blossom Invitational, which was held at Ohio University in Athens throughout the day on Friday.
Bailey, who posted a 146-foot, five-inch throw in the hammer, posted the best individual finish of any women's track and field participant as Bailey beat 10 NCAA Division I competitors with her jaunt, which was 44.62 meters in length.
Along with Bailey's throwing efforts, which also included a 31-foot, nine-and-a-half inch shot put, Shawnee State also received five personal best distance running times.
Continuing her upward progression as she has throughout the spring, Shawnee State sophomore Jessica Elick posted a 5,000 meter run mark that was over 11.5 seconds faster than her previous personal best, running a 18:33.47 to finish 11th in a 25-runner field, outperforming four NCAA Division I competitors in the process. Beth Middleton ran a 19:28.63 to finish 20th in the same event while Sydney Reed, who claimed 21st overall, posted a personal best of over 32 seconds -- cracking 20 minutes in the 5K for the first time in her career en route to a 21st place showing.
Three additional distance performers all ran times underneath their personal bests -- as Kirsten Evans, who continues to enjoy a strong spring, lowered her personal best in the 1,500 meter run by 5.3 seconds en route to a 5:00.05 while Amanda Salmons, who nabbed a 5:12.26, ran over 7.6 seconds faster than her previous PB. Natalie Brammer made it 3-for-3 in terms of personal bests among Shawnee State women's track runners in the 1,500 Friday -- running over 5.8 seconds faster than her previous best by notching a 5:47.15.
"The distance women in the 1,500 and the 5,000 meter runs held their own and ran very well against competitive fields," Flynn, the Director of Cross Country and Track at Shawnee State, said. "It is great to see that continued growth throughout the season."
Marli Marcum, who led the remaining efforts, collected a 22-foot, seven-and-three-quarter inch shot put to complete the personal best efforts for Shawnee State in the event.
Additional times and throws are as follows:
Hammer: Alexis Sudderth, 22nd, 75 feet, four inches; Olivia Newman, 23rd, 68 feet, one inch
Shot put: Olivia Newman, 21st, 29 feet, two-and-a-half inches; Alexis Sudderth, 24th, 24 feet, seven inches
Long jump: Ivy Gentry, 14th, 14 feet, six-and-a-half inches; Makaela Lovely, 16th, 13 feet, two-and-a-quarter inches
Javelin throw: Marli Marcum, 12th, 66 feet, four inches
100 meter hurdles: Ali Taylor, 12th, 18.73
100 meter dash: Ivy Gentry, 18th, 13.92
Discus: Alexis Sudderth, 24th, 83 feet, 11 inches; Olivia Newman, 25th, 73 feet, one inch
Additional
The women's track and field program, along with the men's track and field program, gets back to action Friday and Saturday at the two-day Lee University Fast Break Athletics Invitational, which will be held Friday, April 11 and Saturday, April 12 in Cleveland, Tenn.
"The season is winding down fast, and I'm looking forward to hopefully seeing some special performances at Lee and over the final few weeks of the season."
