“The key to my success was a lot of hard work and dedication, along with a great support system. I approached this year with a new work ethic and passion, knowing that it was my last year of intercollegiate athletics. I didn’t want to go out knowing that I didn’t try my hardest. Also, my coaches, teammates, friends, and family have encouraged me during the rough times and celebrated with me during the good times, so I couldn’t ask for a better cheering section.”

“The right coach is very important to a team’s success, particularly in encouraging the team to do its best. Knowing the technicalities of everything, like the proper form in the pole vault, is obviously important, but so is the coach’s ability to spark a fire in his/her team and push people to do their best. And by doing their best, I don’t mean just in athletics. The right coach pushes people to be the best all-around person they can be, whether it be in sports, academics, or their everyday interactions with people. The right coach cares about his/her athletes and lets them know that, no matter the level of success the team reaches during the season.”

By MARLON SCOTT
Senior Staff Writer

Not including superheroes, it is hard for most people to clear anything in a single bound or run against the wind. But the breezy conditions did not hold back the Lady Govs as they hosted the Governor’s Invitational, the second meet of the outdoor track and field season, Saturday, April 3.

“I thought we competed very well. The girls really got after it today,” said head coach Doug Molnar. “It started as a rainy day and a little bit windy. There were some good teams here and I thought we did an outstanding job today.”

The Lady Govs competed against six schools including Tennessee State, Western Kentucky and Taylor and earned top spots in multiple field events.

Senior vaulter Carrie Burggraf cleared 3.88 meters (12’ 8.75”) to take first in the pole vault. It was her first meet of the outdoor season due to an injury and she qualified for the NCAA Regionals.

Teammate sophomore vaulter Brianna Lococo finished third in the event.

The Lady Govs continued to out jump the competition in the high, triple and long jumps. Freshman Leigha Tolliver earned first place in the long jump with a 5.34 meter (17’ 6.25”) distance. She also placed second in the 100 meter hurdles. New team member freshman Zakia Alcantara took first in the triple jump.

Senior Amanda McCoy continued her consistent success this season with first place in the high jump and the 100-meter hurdles. McCoy said she tried to break the school record in the high jump.

“Overall season so far, especially outdoors, has been amazing. I didn’t think I would do this well. Because of coaches, I am,” McCoy said. “We started really well. Today in hurdles we had a big headwind. But all of us, including myself and the rest of the Austin Peay girls, did really well today. I was impressed with everybody and how they have been competing.”

In addition to McCoy, the Lady Govs earned three of the top five spots in the high jump. Junior Latoya Monger tied for second place and freshman Jessica Runyon-Davis placed third. In her first time running the 200 this season, junior Chiamaka Obi took first place in 25.14 seconds. Obi was also part of the first place 4×400 relay team that also included freshman Ashley Carson and juniors Candace Cullors and Candace Johnson.

Sophomore Janelle Avery had solid finishes in both the 800 and 1500. In the 1500 she finished third and in the 800 she finished second, just ahead of her teammate Arianne Clark.

“We did pretty well considering we had a hard practice this week. But we stuck to it,” Avery said. “We finished strong and we raced strong. I was pretty excited about it.”

Clark added the team as a whole is stronger this year.

“I feel like the team is really strong. This is one of the strongest teams we’ve had in a couple of years,” Clark said. “I am really excited to see how we finish up this season with the PRs (personal records) and things like that, which we have been producing this year.”

Clark is not the only one excited about the team this season.

Coach Molnar said he likes the way his team is working and is looking forward to qualifying more members for the NCAA Regionals.

“We are really excited about this season. We have a great group of gals and they work really hard everyday. They get better and better each week,” Molnar said. “Our mantra for the year, for this outdoor season, has been ‘Get out of your comfort zone.’ And I think we continually continue to do that in the meets and in the practice, and it shows up on the track.”

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.