ANDERSON, S.C. – The Anderson University track and field teams completed a pair of meets this weekend: The DII Indoor Pre-Nationals Meet in Virginia Beach, VA and the David Hemery Valentine Invitational in Boston, MA, sending select athletes to each event.
"We had another solid weekend leading up to the conference meet in a couple of weeks with some PRs and a school record," said coach Andrew Mudd.
Elliot Dotson led the way at the BU David Hemery Valentine Invitational as he set a new Anderson indoor school record in the 3,000m with a time of 8:17.93. Spain Vaughan posted a personal record and a NCAA provisional mark in the 5000m with a time of 14:22.09. In the 5000m unseeded, Emily Golden posted a mark of 17:59.26 for 31st, while Elise Matthews was close behind at 18:10.10 for 44th.
"These four athletes came to Boston with a purpose to run fast times in the best track meet in the entire country," said coach Kevin Eagle. "That is exactly what they did. We walked away with one new school record, two NCAA provisional qualifiers, three personal bests, and one season best. I am proud of what these four accomplished this weekend on the big stage and it sets up our program to achieve great things in the near future."
At the DII Pre-Nationals meet, Tyler Farris headlined the weekend for the Trojans by setting a school record in the heptathlon with 3,674 points. His marks included: 60m (7.60), 60m hurdles (11.12), 1000m (3:06.43), high jump (1.55m), long jump (5.44m), pole vault (4.25m), and shot put (9.48m). Ty Nelson (15:24.30) and Jonathan Roberts (15:27.77) finished seventh and eighth, respectively, in the 5000m. Ben Molitor impressed in the 400m with a time of 50.60.
"Tyler has dedicated himself to the multi," said coach Mudd. "For him to break the school record in his first heptathlon shows the work he has put in!"
Brianna Quartararo (58.53) and Lacey Boozer (59.46) each ran well in the 400m, as they took fourth and sixth place. Whitney Hanson (2:19.41) and Aubrey Quillen (2:19.95) were step-by-step to take fifth and sixth place for the Trojans. Quillen also took sixth place in the mile run at a pace of 5:24.73. Faith Nelson finished fourth in the 5000m at 18:55.55.
"Bri has been very consistent this season, just narrowly missing the school record twice now," said coach Mudd. "She is setting herself up very well for the rest of the season."
The Trojans will be back in action on Friday (Feb. 17) for the USC Indoor Open, with the men's relay going to the JDL DMR Invitational (Feb. 17 – 18) in Winston-Salem, N.C. More information can be found at autrojans.com as the meet approaches.
