APSU Track and Field
Nashville, TN – Austin Peay State University women’s track and field team passed a test in overcoming obstacles, Saturday, with a strong showing at the TSU Invitational.
Going into the meet, the Lady Govs knew they would be without a large portion of their distance runners as well as jumper Cenitra Hudson. That didn’t stop them from posting a number of personal bests on the track in the distance events, relays and sprints.
Perhaps the biggest story was freshman Xiamer Richards coming in as runner-up in the 5000-meter run (18:50). Not only was it Richards’ first time in the event, she ran despite being in a car accident Friday night.
Leigha Tolliver had two solid runs in the 55-meter hurdles. In fact, she posted a pair of season-best times, improving from the preliminary to the finals. She ended with a third-place finish. Chiamaka Obi finished fifth in the 200-meter dash and was one of three Lady Govs runners to post season-best times.
April Holman highlighted the Lady Govs efforts in the field events, tying her season-best in the high jump.
“April’s getting more consistent and little better each week,” Molnar said. “Leigha’s getting closer to where she needs to be as well and Obi ran a really good race. I can’t say enough about Richards and the effort she put up today. With everything that went on, she came in healthy and got it done. Janelle Avery was sick and posted a great mile time in the distance medley; she finished that race well.”
Richards also led off the distance medley relay, followed by Taelor Slaughter, Shannon Christian and anchored by Janelle Avery, for a season-best time. The Lady Govs broke the four-minute mark for the first time this season in the 4×400 relay. Slaughter led off that race, followed by Obi, Ashley Carson and Jasmine Scott.
