By MARLON SCOTT
Senior Staff Writer
The starting gun for the outdoor track season sounded off at home for the Lady Govs. Lipscomb, Belmont and Western Kentucky were among the schools that came to APSU to compete in the annual APSU Spring Fling Saturday, March 20.
Several Lady Govs started the season with first place finishes in their events.
According to APSU Sports Information, head coach Doug Molnar said his team looked ready for the season.
“It was a good first meet back, especially after a long break,” Molnar said. “You never know how much practice goes on during Spring break. But they looked like they did some practicing.”
The Lady Govs looked equally impressive on the field and the track.
In the high jump event, the Lady Govs placed in three of the top five spots. Senior Amanda McCoy earned the top spot when she cleared 1.68 meters. In second and third places respectively were freshman Jessica Runyon-Davis and junior Latoya Monger. Both cleared 1.58 meters.
“McCoy had a great meet. She almost got a personal best on the first day. I expect her to keep improving during the season,” Molnar said.
Like the high jump, three Lady Govs earned top seeding in the pole vault as well. Sophomore Brianna Lococo won first place. Right behind her was teammate, freshman Skylar Wall. Molly Bartkiewcz earned fourth place in the event.
Freshman Cenitra Hudson heated up the jumping field with a first place finish in the triple jump and a fourth place finish in the long jump. Freshman teammate Leigha Tolliver took first place in the long jump.
Lady Gov junior Courtney Jordan placed in the top five of both the discus and javelin throw. Junior Chiamaka Obi was one of several Lady Govs who lit up the track at the Spring Fling.
Obi was part of a 4×400 meter relay team that sprinted to a first place finish. Also from the relay team, sophomore Jasmine Scott and Obi earned the top two spots in the 400. Obi finished first in a time of 57.73 seconds. Scott finished second in 58.32.
“Going one-two in the 400-meter dash is always a nice way to start,” Molnar said. “I was also really happy with the relay team.”
Junior Candace Cullors placed second in the 100. Senior Shamai Larsen also finished second in the 5000.
McCoy found success on the track as well. She took first in the 100 hurdles, followed closely by her teammate Tolliver who finished third.
Freshman Ashley Carson got on the Lady Govs first place finish list in the 400 hurdles with a time of 1.05 minutes.
