COLUMBIA, S.C. - The Anderson University women's track and field team recorded several personal best times in their first meet of 2023 at the Gamecock Opener on Saturday (Jan. 14).
Elise Matthews (10:22.13) and Emily Golden (10:33.53) finished in fifth and eighth place in the 3,000m. Hagan Wilson (10:56.73), Rebecca Ward (10:56.86), and Faith Nelson (10:59.38) took 12th, 13th, and 14th respectively. Hannah Reedy rounded out the event for the Trojans at a pace of 12:04.63. Joeli Hayden completed the 200m in a time of 27.74 for 29th.
In the mile run, Whitney Hanson paced the Trojans at 5:25.39 leading the way at 14th place. Emma Whitaker (5:30.69), Alysse Rowland (5:32.27), and Mclayne Wyatt (5:32.53) finished 17th, 18th, and 19th in the mile run. Madison Crumley rounded things out for the Trojans, finishing in under six minutes at 5:55.88. Brianna Quartararo led the way in the 400m for sixth place with a mark of 58.55, with Lacey Boozer close behind at 59.64 for 11th place.
The women's 4x400 relay team consisting of Brianna Quartararo, Lacey Boozer, Emma Whitaker, and Alysse Rowland took fifth place with a combined time of 4:07.25.
In the field, freshman Georgia Piper impressed once again in the high jump with 1.55m, after setting the indoor school record last semester in the event. Kirsten Leonard took tenth in the pole vault at 3.00m. Sarah Wimpee recorded distances of 10.28m in the shot put, and 12.45m in the weight throw.
"We had a lot of good things come out of this meet," said coach Kevin Eagle. "We had several personal bests across the board in various events. With this being the first competition of the semester, the coaching staff cannot be happier. The athletes will take what they learned from today and apply it to when we compete again at the same exact venue next weekend at an even larger meet."
The Trojans will return to Columbia, S.C. next Friday and Saturday (Jan. 20 - 21) for the Carolina Challenge. More information can be found at autrojans.com as the meet approaches.
