THE FLATS – Georgia Tech track & field competed in day two of the Yellow Jacket Invite, securing three first place finishes and five more top three performances.
The women’s high jump was all Tech in the top three. Shanty Papakosta (first, 1.76m), Carla Du Plessis (second, 1.71m) and Camille Trotman (third, 1.66m) were the top finishers in the event.
Olivia Moore and Lydia Troupe were the other Georgia Tech first place finishers, winning the women’s pole vault (4.10m) and 400 hurdles (1:01.14), respectively.
The remaining top three finishes came from Riley Perlakowski (second, 800m, 2:10.44), the women’s 4x100m team (second, 46.63) and McKinley Thompson (third, high jump, 1.95m).
The White and Gold will take part in two meets next week with split action at the Raleigh Relays and Florida Relays.
WOMEN’S HEAD COACH ALAN DROSKY
“It was great to open the outdoor season at home, and the women responded with some outstanding performances across the board. The high jumpers swept the top three places. Shanty was very consistent and didn’t have a miss until she had the victory secured. Carla is ironing out some technique issues and I think we’ll see something big out of her soon. Camille had a great day, too, and hopefully can become consistent at this level each time out. In the vault, Olivia was her usual outstanding self in getting the win. Mikayla notched a solid second place finish in the long jump. So, a great weekend for the jumps crew.
Sheleah Harris had a big weekend with personal bests in both short sprints. She also ran the anchor leg on the 4 x 100m. The relay had a solid first effort of the season. Taylor Grimes and Anna Witherspoon focused on the relay for this meet, and we’re anxious to see them both soon in the short hurdles. Taylor and a now healthy Anna, will give us a great 1-2 punch there.
In the long hurdles, Lydia closed really hard to pull out the victory right at the finish line. Her time was a big personal best. Riley Perlakowski closed very hard also in the 800m, just narrowing missing the win. And Ilene, in the 400m, is making some great improvements.
I was impressed with the women this weekend and saw a lot of good things we can continue to build on.”
Alexander-Tharpe Fund
The Alexander-Tharpe Fund is the fundraising arm of Georgia Tech athletics, providing scholarship, operations and facilities support for Georgia Tech’s 400-plus student-athletes. Be a part of developing Georgia Tech’s Everyday Champions and helping the Yellow Jackets compete for championships at the highest levels of college athletics by supporting the Annual Athletic Scholarship Fund, which directly provides scholarships for Georgia Tech student-athletes. To learn more about supporting the Yellow Jackets, visit atfund.org.
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