Story by John Morris, Staff writer
Murray State competed at the Pitt State Invite Friday and Saturday in Pittsburgh, Kansas.
The Racers set several personal records over the weekend and touched some of Murray State’s history books with new ranks.
Senior distance runner Ali Hester was one of many putting on a top performance at the meet this weekend.
With new territory like Pittsburgh, Hester was impressed with her performance.
“I was not familiar with Pitt State’s campus or indoor facility,” Hester said. “That was my first time competing there but I really enjoyed the track and thought it was a beautiful facility.”
Even though Hester and the team were new to this particular area the team faired well with a solid outing.
“I thought the meet was the best for MSU so far this season. We had a great number of people get personal records for this season and even lifetime individual records. I was very proud of how our entire team did; it is a big step forward for us,” Hester said.
Head Coach Jenny Swieton also was proud of the team’s performance in a new area.
Swieton said the Racers have a lot of potential and are off to a great start with indoor performances. Swieton and Hester would agree that one of the big reasons for these performances is the concentration of the goals set for the team and individuals.
The team’s goals to push and encourage each other and inspire everyone to want to accomplish big things and ultimately win the conference.
“I think we have a lot of people who really want to do something special this year,” Swieton said. “Our team is full of people that are not afraid to make sacrifices for their team and who really love to compete.”
Notable performances include:
- Senior distance runner Ali Hester took first place in the 3000-meter running 10 minutes and 14 seconds.
- Hester also competed in the distance meter relay with freshman jumper Aubrey Main and fellow senior distance runners Emma Gilmore and Brittany Bohn. The relay team placed second with 12 minutes and 16 seconds.
- Freshman sprinter Tamdra Lawrence and freshman sprinter and hurdler Jocelyn Payne competed in the 60-meter dash. Lawrence set a new personal record, also ranking No. 2 all time in Murray State history at 7.57 seconds. Payne also set a new personal record with 7.83 seconds and she also set another personal record in the 400-meter dash timed at 58.80 seconds.
- Freshman sprinter and hurdler and jumper Jabreuna Brimlett set a personal record and all set a rank of third time at Murray State for the 60-meter hurdles, running 8.61 seconds.
- Sophomore hurdler and jumper Taylor McCammon set a personal record in 60-meter hurdles times a 8.71 seconds, which ranked her fourth all time for Murray State.
- Sophomore middle distance runner Emani Griffin and junior middle distance runner Tia Weston set personal records in the 800-meter dash. Griffin timed 2 minutes and 19 seconds and Weston timed 2 minutes and 17 seconds.
- Freshman thrower Christina Meinhardt set a shot put personal record throwing 12.37 meters.
- Freshman pole vaulter Emily Heil and junior pole vault Chleo LeGrand both set personal records. Heil vaulted 3.06 meters and LeGrand vaulted 3.36 meters.
The Racers will split up this weekend in their next meet with a group headed to Notre Dame and others heading to Southern Illinois University Carbondale.