Story by Justin Gaston, Contributing writer
The Racers are preparing for the OVC Championship, which takes place May 13. The Racers finished sixth (2015) and seventh (2014) overall the past two season after almost winning the OVC in 2013. The Racers are looking to continuously improve on their accomplishments thus far. The Racers are heading into the OVC Championships coming off a first place finish in the 50th annual Gina Relays at Hillsdale College.
WHO TO WATCH FOR
Freshman sprinter Tamdra Lawrence: currently second in the 100-meter dash, as well as third in the 200-meter dash in the OVC.
Freshmen hurdler Jabreuna Brimlett: currently third in the 100-meter hurdles, fifth in long jump, eighth in triple jump in the OVC.
Sophomore distance runner Vallery Korir: currently second in the 10,000-meter, ninth in the 1,500-meter in the OVC.
Senior distance runner Emma Gilmore: currently eighth in the 1,500-meter, 10th in the 800-meter dash in the OVC.
Sophomore distance runner Rebekah Priddy: currently third in the 3,000-meter steeplechase in the OVC.
Other events to look for: 4×100 meter relay, 4×400 meter relay, 400-meter hurdles, shot put, pole vault.
RETURN OF THE SPRINTERS
Last season in the OVC Championship, the Racers did not have any finalists in the sprinting events and only two finalists in 2014. Lawrence is only a few hundredths of a second from the first place spot.
The last Racer to win the 100-meter dash was Alexis Love in 2013. Murray State can also look forward to having a reliable relay team to score well for them in this year’s OVC Championship. The Racers have multiple runners in the sprinting events this year who have a chance at scoring key points for the Racers.
DISTANCE A MAJOR KEY
Murray State has a top ten ranked in distance team in the OVC this season. Korir leads the Racer distance team after having a record-breaking season this year. Senior distance runners Leah Krause and Gilmore will also play a major role in the Racers’ point outcome.
Head Coach Jenny Swieton is hopeful that the Racers finish out the season strong. Swieton said she is pleased with her team regardless of the outcome.
“If we don’t run well, I don’t want it to seem the whole season was a letdown,” Swieton said.
“We can’t really have our hopes up because you never know what can happen at these meets,” Swieton said. “One team might show up and blow it out the water, or they might show up and fall flat on their faces. The same goes for us. We could show up and do really well, or we could not.”
On paper, the Racers look to be in position to score well in many events, but it will all depend on how they perform. The Racers have steadily improved throughout the indoor and outdoor seasons and will be looking to carry that momentum into the OVC Championships, finishing the year on a high note.
The OVC Championships will take place in Nashville, Tennessee May 13th.