BIRMINGHAM, Ala./CARBONDALE, Ill. (1/24/20) – On Friday, the Arkansas State track and field team combined for 10 collegiate bests between two meets – the Green and Gold Invitational in Birmingham, Alabama, and the Don DeNoon Invitational in Carbondale, Illinois.
Nine of the 10 personal bests came in Birmingham, in addition to six athletes winning their respective events.
A-State swept the men's and women's triple jump, with Courtney Thomas posting a season-best 14.24m (46-8.75) in the triumph. Imani Udoumana leaped 12.16m (39-10.75) to win her event on Friday.
In the men's high jump, sophomore Frank Massey cleared a personal-best 2.09m (6-10.25) to win and move him into a tie for first in the conference in the event.
The Scarlet and Black also claimed top finishes in the men's and women's 3000m invitational sections, with Pauline Meyer running 9:52.51 to move up to third all-time in program history while Elizabeth Gillette finished second in 10:05.07. Ethan Mychajlonka won the men's section in 8:38.79.
In the women's mile invitational, A-State freshman posted strong marks, with Elizabeth Martin placing first in 5:04.95, a time that ranks seventh all-time at A-State. Sarah Trammel placed fourth in 5:10.27. The Red Wolves also posted a pair of top-three finishes in the men's 800m, with Seth Waters (1:54.75) and Handre Jonker (1:55.62 – PR) placing second and third, respectively. McKenzie Cornell earned a third-place result in the women's race, running a collegiate-best 2:20.77. Kayla Wade also clocked her best time in a fifth-place finish, running 2:24.76.
At the Don DeNoon Invite, Eron Carter placed second in the men's weight throw, hurling a personal-best 19.11m (62-8.0) to finish as the top collegian and move into fifth all-time at A-State in the event. Grace Flowers also notched a top-three finish, tossing the implement 18.81m (61-8.0) for a third-place finish.
In the short sprints and hurdles in Birmingham, A-State saw a handful advance to Saturday's semifinals and finals. Jaela Hollie and Jonae Cook both advanced to the women's 60m semis by winning their respective heats, as did Thomas and Chris Hill in the men's 60m. Alexis Woodall clocked a personal-best 8.98 to win her 60m hurdles heat and advance to Saturday's final, while Rainee Bowers advanced on time. Amari James earned the third-fastest time in the men's 60m hurdles, but advanced on time as well.
The Red Wolves return to action in both meets Saturday morning. In Carbondale, A-State's throwers will compete in the shot put, with the women's flights set to begin at 10 a.m. and the men to follow. In Birmingham, the pole vault will kick things off at 10 a.m. with the 400m being the first track event scheduled for 11 a.m.
For the latest on the A-State track and field program, follow @AStateTrack on Twitter and @Arkansas_State_Track on Instagram, while also liking the team's Facebook page at Facebook.com/AStateTrackAndField.
A-STATE AT THE GREEN & GOLD INVITATIONAL
WOMEN'S RESULTS (*denotes collegiate best; ^ denotes season best)
60m (Prelims): Sydney Howells (New Orleans), 7.71 (Q)
A-State: 2. Jaela Hollie, 7.72 (Q); 4. Jonae Cook, 7.77 (Q)
300m: Shamarah Shannon (New Orleans), 40.03
A-State: 9. Brianna De La Rosa, 43.92; 11. Kori Jones, 44.88
800m Invite: Sintayehu Vissa (St. Leo), 2:16.34
A-State: 3. McKenzie Cornell, 2:20.77*; 5. Kayla Wade, 2:24.76*
Mile Invite: 1. Elizabeth Martin, 5:04.95 [#7 in school history]; 4. Sarah Trammel, 5:10.27
3000m Invite: 1. Pauline Meyer, 9:52.51* [#3 in school history]; 2. Elizabeth Gillette, 10:05.07; 4. Sammy Brainard, 10:20.87*; McKenzie Cornell, DNF
60m Hurdles (Prelims): Ryan Jackson (Meridian CC), 8.96 (Q)
A-State: 2. Alexis Woodall, 8.98* (Q); 5. Rainee Bowers, 9.00 (q); 17. Allie Hensley, 9.72
Triple Jump: 1. Imani Udoumana, 12.16m (39-10.75); 5. Johnaya Givens, 11.51m (37-9.25); 6. Arabriaun Mack, 11.49m (37-8.5); Megan Knowling, FOUL
MEN'S RESULTS (*denotes collegiate best; ^ denotes season best)
60m (Prelims): Benjamin Onyekwelu (Middle Tennessee State), 6.84 (Q)
A-State: 2. Courtney Thomas, 6.93 (Q); 3. Chris Hill, 6.98 (Q); 22. Ty Graser, 7.40
800m Invite: Alan Johnson (Jackson State), 1:54.13
A-State: 2. Seth Waters, 1:54.75; 3. Handre Jonker, 1:55.62* 6. Garrett Becker, 1:59.00*
Mile: Shane Bracken (St. Leo), 4:15.13
A-State: 3. Gregoire Saury, 4:20.64; 4. Coleman Wilson, 4:24.33
3000m Invite: 1. Ethan Mychajlonka, 8:38.79; 5. John Carder, 8:46.84*; Seth Waters, DNF
60m Hurdles (Prelims): Loftin Keys (Jackson State), 8.22 (Q)
A-State: 3. Amari James, 8.23 (q)
High Jump: 1. Frank Massey 2.09m (6-10.25)*; T4. Carter Shell, 1.89m (6-2.25)
Triple Jump: 1. Courtney Thomas, 14.24m (46-8.75)^
A-STATE AT THE DON DENOON INVITATIONAL
WOMEN'S RESULTS (*denotes collegiate best; ^ denotes season best)
Weight Throw: Alexis Roberson (Southern Illinois), 20.85m (68-5.0)
A-State: 3. Grace Flowers, 18.81m (61-8.0); 7. Chastery Fuamatu, 17.31m (56-9.0); 11. Evangelynn Harris, 15.20m (49-10.0); 12. Hannah Higgins, 14.50m (47-7.0)
MEN'S RESULTS (*denotes collegiate best; ^ denotes season best)
Weight Throw: Daniel Roberts, 21.83m (71-7.0)
A-State: 2. Eron Carter, 19.11m (62-8.0)* [#5 in school history]
