APSU Track and Field
Clarksville, TN – Austin Peay State University women’s track and field team combines its efforts for the Vanderbilt Invitational, Friday and Saturday, at the Vanderbilt Track and Field Complex.
Last week, the Lady Govs split up the sprinters and distance runners, sending the sprinters to the Sea Ray Relays and the latter to the Bellarmine Invitational. Both groups had successful events, recording a number of personal bests and even setting an OVC-best time in the 400-meters.
“Hopefully, the weather will cooperate and we’ll get a chance to see where we are two weeks out from the conference championships,” head coach Doug Molnar said. “What we’re looking for is consistency from event to event and week to week.”
Weather was an issue at the Sea Ray Relays, but that didn’t stop senior Chiamaka Obi from turning in the OVC’s best 400-meter time (55.24). Meanwhile, at Bellermine, the Lady Govs had six top-10 finishes in the 1500-meter run, each of those a personal best. Xiamar Richards improved her 1500-meter time by nearly seven seconds.
Austin Peay will be looking for continued progress in the field events as well. April Holman is attempting to top the 1.65m high jump height for the first time since the APSU Governors Invitational, while Cenitra Hudson and Leigha Tolliver are working to get back to 38-foot mark in the triple jump.
The Lady Govs also will get to put its 400-meter and a 1600-meter relay teams back into to action after getting washed out at the Sea Ray Relays. The 1600-meter team has not competed since posting a 3:54.70 time at the Alabama Relays. The 400-meter team neared the school record it’s last time out at the APSU Governors Invitational, coming in at 48.35.
“We’ll be concentrating on a few events and getting some personal bests,” Molnar said. “We also need to get healthy, as we are really banged up right now.”
The Lady Govs have only a couple of outdoor meets left before the OVC Outdoor Championships, May 6th-7th, at Murray, KY.
