THE FLATS – Yellow Jacket track & field closed out its last home meet of the 2021 outdoor season at the Georgia Tech Invitational on Saturday at Griffin Track. The Jackets lined up against Alabama-Huntsville (M/W), Augusta (M/W), Boston College (M), Charleston Southern (M/W), Chattanooga (W), Clark Atlanta (W), Emory (M/W), Georgia Southern (W), Georgia State (W), Hillsdale College (M/W), Jacksonville State (W), Kennesaw State (M/W), Lee (M/W), Mississippi College (M/W), Transylvania Univ. (M) and Valdosta State (M/W).
“This was another very solid meet for men’s team with many PR’s and outstanding performances,” said head men’s track & field coach Grover Hinsdale. “A few standout performances were Andrew Kent’s 1500m race last night, Alex Thomas’ 1500m/800m double, and Henrik Anderson’s 800m PR. We also had a nice outing from Harrison Morris in the 5K yesterday. A huge PR for Tyson Spears as well in the 200m. We will train through this week as we prepare to head to Athens the following weekend.”
“What a great weekend we had competing at home, so many individual first place finishes and personal bests all over the place,” said head women’s track & field coach Alan Drosky. “Every event area is getting better. We’ve got great momentum heading into the rest of the season.”
Tech captured three first-place and seven total podium finishes at the Invite.
Senior jumper Bria Matthews leapt for a mark of 13.08m/42′ 11″ in the women’s triple jump earning gold in that event with a season best showing.
Clocking in at 21.15 senior sprinter Tyson Spears also snagged a first-place spot in the men’s 200m, setting a new personal best in the process.
In the women’s high jump freshmen standouts Shanty Papakosta (1st, 1.79m/5′ 10.5″) and Cara du Plessis (1st, 1.76m/5′ 9.25″) each had another podium effort, continuing their consistent first collegiate outdoor season.
The men’s high jump saw sophomore McKinley Thompson collect a second-place finish as he cleared a height of 2.05m/6′ 8.75″. The Jackets had a silver performance in the women’s 4×400 relay, coming in at 3:49.68. Sophomore hurdler Reese Crawford took bronze in the 400m hurdles, posting a time of 1:02.03.
Following Week Five’s action Tech has four student-athletes ranked in the top-30 in their respective events. Here’s how the Jackets look on the NCAA Division I national outdoor list:
- No. 4 – Nicole Fegans – Women’s 5K – 15:37.16
- No. 11 – Bria Matthews – Women’s Long Jump – 6.47m/21′ 2.75″
- No. 23 – Olivia Moore – Women’s Pole Vault – 4.17m/13′ 8.25″
- No. 28 – Andrew Kent – Men’s 5K – 13:47.77
Tech is off next weekend for some much needed rest before entering the later half of their season the following week on April 30 – May 1 as they head to Athens, Ga., for the Torrin Lawrence Memorial Meet at the University of Georgia.
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