University of Tennessee at Chattanooga’s Sophia Neglia earned all-freshman honors in the 3000m and the women’s track and field team placed four in the Top 10 on Day One of the Southern Conference Indoor Championships at the VMI Corps Physical Training Facility in Lexington, Va.
Neglia scored for UTC in her first SoCon Championships, placing eighth in the 3000 meter run with a time of 10:20.05. She was the third freshman across the line, earning SoCon All-Freshman honors. Hannah Caldwell was two spots behind with a time of 10:40.41.
“Sophia finally broke through for us and placed eighth and matched her season-best,” Chattanooga head coach Andy Meyer said.
The Mocs scored in the Distance Medley Relay and the 3000 meter run and are in eighth place heading into the final day.
“The DMR continued the momentum,” Meyer said.
“They ran a very gutsy race as all but Nicole [Buehrle] had run earlier today.”
The women’s DMR team was led off by Haley Morris who ran the 1200m in a time of 3:48.30. Nicole Buehrle covered the 400m next in a time of 1:00.19. Abby Bateman tallied a 2:20.84 in the 800 meter leg and Brianna Nelson ran the anchor leg, the mile, in a time of 5:14.52. The team finished sixth overall with a time of 12:23.84.
“Brianna ran a fabulous mile and matched her time earlier in the day,” Meyer said.
In the 800m, Bateman placed ninth with a time of 2:18.02. Taylor Grayson threw a personal best 11.40m on her first of three throws.
“Taylor threw an indoor PR and just missed going to the finals,” Meyer said. “Abby and Ashlynd ran well in the 800 and Abby just missed the final by one spot. Brianna and Julia [Henderson] ran indoor PRs in the mile. Bri broke hers by two seconds and Julia was about 15 seconds better.”
Mercedes Bright ran the 60 meter, finishing in a time of 8.45. She was unable to finish to 400 meter after suffering an injury during the race and had to drop out of the 200m.
Sunday’s events will include Emily Poole running the 5000 meter and conclude with the 4x400 meter relay.
Mile Run
14. Brianna Nelson 5:14.76
17. Julia Henderson 5:22.84
19. Haley Morris 5:27.86
60m
18. Mercedes Bright 8.45
400m
--- Mercedes Bright DNF
800m
9. Abby Bateman 2:18.02
14. Ashlynd Broling 2:24.38
16. Taylor Sawyer 2:45.27
3000m
8. Sophia Neglia 10:20.05
10. Hannah Caldwell 10:40.41
DMR
6. Chattanooga 12:23.84
Haley Morris (3:48.30); Nicole Buehrle (1:00.19); Abby Bateman (2:20.84); Brianna Nelson (5:14.52)
Shot Put
12. Taylor Grayson 11.40m