Complete Results

CARBONDALE, Ill. – Sophomore Kayla Thompson and freshman Erica Edwards turned in career best efforts to win their respective events on Saturday at the Don DeNoon Invitational, hosted by Southern Illinois.

Thompson, from Brandon, Miss. and a two-sport athlete at JSU, won the women's 60 meter dash with a time of 7.62 seconds in a field of 28 competitors.  Thompson, also a member of the Gamecock soccer program returned to the track after winning the 60 meter dash to win the 200 meter dash with a time of 24.79.  That mark in the 200 event was also a career best for Thompson.
Edwards was also in a crowded field in the women's high jump, was able to post a leap of 5-05.25 to claim gold in the event.  The duo helped the Gamecocks collect 55 team points and finish fifth among a field of 12 teams and finish ahead of Ohio Valley Conference members – Southeast Missouri and Austin Peay.  Murray State claimed second place with 73.50 points.  Host-SIU won the meet with 165.50 points.

Junior Ashley Williams contributed to JSU's point total with a fourth-place finish in the triple jump.  Williams carded a jump of 38-02.00 to finish shy of the awards stand.  Sophomore Courtney Bennett added three points after finishing sixth in the weight throw.  Bennett tallied a toss of 52-01.75.  Junior Gina Carnovale claimed sixth place in the 400 meter dash after crossing the finish line in 59.82.

"We had some really good performances by several of our girls and they put themselves in good position for the OVC Indoor Championships," said head coach Steve Ray.  "We still have a lot of work to do overall, but today was very promising."

The Gamecocks will compete in the Samford Invitational on February 12 and will use that meet to prepare for the 2016 OVC Indoor Championships at the end of February.