FORT WORTH, Texas (3/20/21) – In Arkansas State's first outdoor track and field meet since 2019, the throwers stole the show to open the 2021 outdoor campaign at the TCU Invitational.
A-State totaled nine top-three finishes on the day, including five in the throws events with a trio of event winners.
Aimar Palma Simo made a splash in his outdoor debut, winning the hammer throw with a mark of 65.46m (214-9.0), which ranks second in program history.
A-State opened the day with a pair of top-five marks in the women's discus throw. Babette Vandeput hurled a throw of 51.67m (169-6.0) on her very first attempt to place third, while Grace Flowers placed fifth with a mark of 47.75m (156-8.0). Flowers followed that up with an impressive performance in the hammer throw, uncorking a personal-best toss of 57.50m (188-7.0) to place second. Chastery Fuamatu placed fourth with a throw of 53.22m (174-7.0), which ranks fifth in A-State outdoor history.
Eron Carter recorded a personal-best 54.64m (179-3.0) to win the men's discus and placed fourth in the hammer throw with a mark of 55.41m (181-9.0). Eric Williams placed sixth in the discus, hurling the implement 47.36m (155-4.0).
In the women's shot put, Evangelynn Harris placed third with a personal-best 14.81m (48-7.25), a mark which moved her up to sixth in program history.
Allie Hensley began her outdoor season on a strong note in a pair of field events, placing third in the high jump with an outdoor-best 1.74m (5-8.5). Later in the day, she posted another personal best, this time in the javelin where she placed seventh with a throw of 38.08m (124-11.0). That mark was good enough for 10th on the all-time school-record list.
Bradley Jelmert closed out the day with a victory in the men's pole vault, clearing 5.02m (16-5.5) ahead of Matthew Keown, who vaulted 4.87m (15-11.75) to place second. Trace South tied for a third-place finish with a clearance of 4.72m (15-5.75).
NEXT UP
A-State returns to action in two weeks, traveling to Birmingham, Alabama, for the UAB Invite, set for April 2-3 before traveling to Athens, Georgia, for the Spec Towns Invitational the following weekend.
SOCIAL MEDIA
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