Friday, January 19
Nashville, TN
Jacksonville State University
vs
Vanderbilt Invitational
Gamecocks Produce Strong Results From Vanderbilt Invite
1/20/2024 8:51:00 PM | Track and Field
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Jax State track and field program was back in action the weekend at the Vanderbilt Invitational, wasting little time in establishing new top marks in the 2024 campaign.
The two-day event held at the Nashville-based Southeastern Conference school featured programs across the region Incarnate Word, Missouri, Arkansas State, Kentucky, ULM, Lipscomb, Auburn and Georgia Tech among others. The Gamecocks were hardly phased by the larger field size from their earlier December meets.
"Vanderbilt presents many challenges, particularly because of the size and competitiveness of the meet," said head coach Jeremy Provence following Saturday's conclusion. "I'm proud of the team's effort the past two days. They competed hard, and once again, we are leaving a meet with several top 10 program marks and a little more confidence as we move closer to conference."
"This weekend, I thought the 400m group and relays were the highlight. Hailey (Tucker) continued her great start to indoor but our group of freshmen that competed in these events were particularly impressive. I love their competitiveness. It has been fun to see the progress with this group.)
To begin the weekend, freshman Maggie Jones compiled a final pentathlon score of 2,713 points in her collegiate debut Friday morning. Not far behind, fellow freshman Jadyn Bonds tallied a 2,292 score in the same competition.
In Saturday's 60-meter prelims, Hailey Tucker put down the first PR of the day with her 9.29 mark. Directly behind Tucker on the timing sheet was Carolina Minozzi, returning to action after missing last season with injury.
Tucker continued her strong performance with another PR and top 20 spot in the 400-meters where she and freshman Chidinma Margaret Agu finished back-to-back with 57.76 and 57.73 times, respectively. Agu's debut meet also featured a strong 25.99 time in her 200 meters race on Friday. Back in the 400m, freshman Emma Drinkard placed 27th with an improved 58.77 time from her first run at Birmingham in December.
The highest spot, literally, from Saturday for the Gamecocks fell to Savannah Yates matching her season-high height in the open pole vault event clearing 3.55 meters (11'-7 ¾"). The Gamecocks vault trio each scored in the top 10 of the event with Lennon Ibsen and Kayley Stanley posting matching heights of 3.40 meters (11'-1 ¾").
"Savannah had a really good showing in pole vault. Her 3.50 meter vault today tied her lifetime, and if the bar would have hung on a little longer we would be talking about a huge personal best. Nevertheless, it was a positive outcome and something we can build upon moving forward."
In distance action, Bethelhem Manzano Jimeno ran a 5:08.39 in the mile, while freshman Kyra Brouwer clocked an 11:04.41 in a deep 3,000-meter field. Senior Sierra Wainer finished just 16 seconds back of Brouwer.
For the relays, Jax State closed the weekend with a 3:58.69 in the 4x400 with the lineup of Drinkard, Minozzi, Amber Bailey and Chidinma Margaret Agu to place 11th. On Friday, Lindsay Fletcher, Trinity Schraudner, Hailey Tucker, Bethelhem Manzano Jimeno directed the Gamecocks' runner-up finish in the distance medley relay. Their 12:18.72 final time behind Murray State was the second-fastest DMR recorded for Jax State. Arkansas State, Saint Louis and Southern Miss rounded out the top five finishing teams.
The Gamecocks trek back north next weekend for the PNC Lenny Lyles Invitational hosted by Louisville.
The two-day event held at the Nashville-based Southeastern Conference school featured programs across the region Incarnate Word, Missouri, Arkansas State, Kentucky, ULM, Lipscomb, Auburn and Georgia Tech among others. The Gamecocks were hardly phased by the larger field size from their earlier December meets.
"Vanderbilt presents many challenges, particularly because of the size and competitiveness of the meet," said head coach Jeremy Provence following Saturday's conclusion. "I'm proud of the team's effort the past two days. They competed hard, and once again, we are leaving a meet with several top 10 program marks and a little more confidence as we move closer to conference."
"This weekend, I thought the 400m group and relays were the highlight. Hailey (Tucker) continued her great start to indoor but our group of freshmen that competed in these events were particularly impressive. I love their competitiveness. It has been fun to see the progress with this group.)
To begin the weekend, freshman Maggie Jones compiled a final pentathlon score of 2,713 points in her collegiate debut Friday morning. Not far behind, fellow freshman Jadyn Bonds tallied a 2,292 score in the same competition.
In Saturday's 60-meter prelims, Hailey Tucker put down the first PR of the day with her 9.29 mark. Directly behind Tucker on the timing sheet was Carolina Minozzi, returning to action after missing last season with injury.
Tucker continued her strong performance with another PR and top 20 spot in the 400-meters where she and freshman Chidinma Margaret Agu finished back-to-back with 57.76 and 57.73 times, respectively. Agu's debut meet also featured a strong 25.99 time in her 200 meters race on Friday. Back in the 400m, freshman Emma Drinkard placed 27th with an improved 58.77 time from her first run at Birmingham in December.
The highest spot, literally, from Saturday for the Gamecocks fell to Savannah Yates matching her season-high height in the open pole vault event clearing 3.55 meters (11'-7 ¾"). The Gamecocks vault trio each scored in the top 10 of the event with Lennon Ibsen and Kayley Stanley posting matching heights of 3.40 meters (11'-1 ¾").
"Savannah had a really good showing in pole vault. Her 3.50 meter vault today tied her lifetime, and if the bar would have hung on a little longer we would be talking about a huge personal best. Nevertheless, it was a positive outcome and something we can build upon moving forward."
In distance action, Bethelhem Manzano Jimeno ran a 5:08.39 in the mile, while freshman Kyra Brouwer clocked an 11:04.41 in a deep 3,000-meter field. Senior Sierra Wainer finished just 16 seconds back of Brouwer.
For the relays, Jax State closed the weekend with a 3:58.69 in the 4x400 with the lineup of Drinkard, Minozzi, Amber Bailey and Chidinma Margaret Agu to place 11th. On Friday, Lindsay Fletcher, Trinity Schraudner, Hailey Tucker, Bethelhem Manzano Jimeno directed the Gamecocks' runner-up finish in the distance medley relay. Their 12:18.72 final time behind Murray State was the second-fastest DMR recorded for Jax State. Arkansas State, Saint Louis and Southern Miss rounded out the top five finishing teams.
The Gamecocks trek back north next weekend for the PNC Lenny Lyles Invitational hosted by Louisville.
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