The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga women’s outdoor track and field team closed out the Emory Invitational in fifth out of 24 teams Saturday with 56 points at the Emory University Track.
Just one day after taking second in the 10K, Chattanooga’s Emily Poole won the 5000 meter seeded race with a time of 17:36.33. Abby Bateman just missed a PR in the women’s 800 meter run, finishing second at 2:19.07.
“Emily ran a smart race less than 24 hours after getting second in the 10K,” Chattanooga head coach Andy Meyer said.
“She won the race impressively and was just a handful of seconds off her PR.
“Abby ran her best strategic race of the season.”
The Mocs had eight Top 10 finishers Saturday including all four runners in the 5000 meter. Sophia Neglia placed sixth for Chattanooga with a time of 18:07.67 in her first collegiate 5K. Brianna Nelson demolished her previous top time with a PR of 18:19.78, placing seventh. Rebekah Wich, running her second long distance race in as many days, was just seconds off her PR placing ninth overall in a time of 18:38.96.
Nicole Buerhle was fifth in the 800m just off her PR with a time of 2:20.93 and Hannah Caldwell, just tenths of a second off her previous best time, placed seventh in the 1500 meter with a time of 4:53.14.
In the field events, Taylor Grayson posted a personal-best throw of 10.96 meters in the shot put. Rebekah Hampton finished ninth in the triple just with a distance of 10.60 meters.
“Overall they continue to improve and performed outstanding in new events as we progress their season development,” Meyer said. “This was a good test of mental strength as many did multiple events as they will required to do at the conference meet.”
The men’s cross country team had a very good showing Saturday, running several events unattached in their first outdoor meet of the year.
All three Mocs in the 1500 meer placed in the Top 10. John Payne finished fourth with a time of 4:03.91 and Mark Britt finished sixth in a time of 4:04.83. Nathan Watson ran the distance in a time of 4:07.24, placing eighth overall. Gavin Hasty covered the men’s 800 meter in a time of 1:57.47
“The guys did great for their first outdoor meet,” Meyer said. “Their times are ahead of last year’s. Gavin won his heat in the 800 and ran a very smart race with windy conditions.”
Ryan Gebelein ran a 15:33.53 in the 5000 meter, winning his heat and the men’s 4x400 meter relay finished in a time of 3:37.47.
“The guys 4x4 relay team hit their goal time,” Meyer said. “We set it at 3:40 and they came in at 3:37. Gavin led it off then Watson and Britt and John bringing us home.”
The Mocs will prepare for the Crimson Classic hosted by the University of Alabama on April 6 in Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Women
Track – Saturday
100m Hurdles
11.
|
Rebekah Hampton
|
16.76
|
400m Dash
24.
|
Katie Coker
|
1:02.93
|
45.
|
Taylor Sawyer
|
1:09.50
|
800m Run
2.
|
Abby Bateman
|
2:19.07
|
5.
|
Nicole Buehrle
|
2:20.93
|
12.
|
Ashlynd Broling
|
2:24.39
|
1500m Run
7.
|
Hannah Caldwell
|
4:53.14
|
11.
|
Haley Morris
|
4:55.90
|
17.
|
Julia Henderson
|
5:02.71
|
5000m Run
1.
|
Emily Poole
|
17:36.33
|
6.
|
Sophia Neglia
|
18:07.67
|
7
|
Brianna Nelson
|
18:19.78
|
9.
|
Rebekah Wich
|
18:38.96
|
Field – Saturday
Shot Put
14.
|
Taylor Grayson
|
10.96m
|
Triple Jump
9.
|
Rebekah Hampton
|
10.40m
|
Men
800m Run
1500m Run
4.
|
John Payne
|
4:03.91
|
6.
|
Mark Britt
|
4:04.83
|
8.
|
Nathan Watson
|
4:07.24
|
5000m Run
11.
|
Ryan Gebelein
|
15:33.53
|
4x400m Relay
13.
|
Chattanooga
|
3:37.47
|
|
Huber, Britt, Payne, Hasty
|
|