Austin Peay Track and Field post outstanding opening to APSU Invitational

APSU Sports Information

Clarksville, TN – Three wins gave Austin Peay State University track and field a tremendous start to its annual home meet, the APSU Invitational, Friday evening at Fortera Stadium.

The day was kicked off by senior Kaylnn Pitts, who scored a huge win in the triple jump with a season-best 12.70m (41-8.0) mark that not only moved her into the top-25 in the NCAA East region (based on mark’s entering the weekend), but may have sewn up her invite to the 2017 NCAA East Preliminary in the process; since 2010, that mark has guaranteed a top-48 spot (and the subsequent invitation that goes with it) at the Preliminary.

In addition to Pitts’ extraordinary day, sophomore Emmaculate Kiplagat just keeps on winning distance races.

The Kenyan dusted the field with a season-best 17:55.58 5000m mark, winning by more than six seconds and running her winning streak to four straight events (two 5000m wins, a 10,000m and a 3,000m).

In pole vault action, sophomore Savannah Amato did what she does every week—win. This time, the Delaware, Ohio native posted a 3.90m (12-9.50) mark, sharing the top honor with Western Kentucky’s Morgan McIntyre.

Amato’s showing was part of a strong performance by the Governor pole vaulters, which also got standout days from sophomore Dascha Hix (3.75m; 12-03.50) and junior Gretchen Rosch (3.60m; 11-09.75), who finished third and fourth, respectively.

Junior Chancis Jones (fourth, triple jump; 11.75m [38-06.75]) and senior Christiana Harris (fifth, javelin throw; 30.44m [99-10]) also posted top-five finishes, while Mathew Biwott competed in the men’s 5000m event, finishing fourth (15:22.93).

Action continues at Fortera Stadium, Saturday, beginning with the remaining field events at 10:00am. Track events are scheduled to kick off at noon.