JONESBORO, Ark. (4/15/21) – For the first time since the 2019 Sun Belt Conference Outdoor Championships, the A-State Track and Field Complex will host a meet, as Arkansas State gets set to host the Red Wolves Open Friday and Saturday in Jonesboro.
Admission to the meet is free, with those attending asked to remain outside the gates surrounding the track and encouraged to wear masks, practice social distancing and follow other Arkansas Department of Health guidelines.
Action begins Friday at 3 p.m. CT with the women's pole vault and women's hammer throw, while the men's long jump is slated for a 3:30 p.m. start and the women's javelin to precede the men's javelin at 5 p.m.
On Saturday, the remaining field events are set to open the day at 10:30 a.m., starting with the men's shot put. A recognition of the A-State seniors will take place at 12:30 p.m. before the women's 4x100m relay kicks off track events at 1 p.m.
TEAMS COMPETING: Arkansas State, Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Central Arkansas, Christian Brothers, Little Rock, Memphis, Rhodes, Southwest Baptist (Mo.)
A-STATE WOMEN UP TO SEVENTH IN SOUTH CENTRAL REGION: Arkansas State's women's team moved up seven spots in this week's USTFCCCA South Central Regional Rankings, ranking seventh.
The men moved up to 12th in the South Central after being 14th last week.
A-STATE IN THE SUN BELT CONFERENCE: A-State's men hold 15 spots ranked inside the top five in the Sun Belt Conference entering this weekend, in addition to the men's 4x400m relay team of Jermie Walker, Kobey Hill, Daidren Davis and Addison Ross. Seth Waters (800m) and Carter Shell (long jump) lead their respective events while Lexington Hilton (10,000m), Daidren Davis (400m hurdles), Eron Carter (discus) and Aimar Palma Simo (hammer) hold No. 2 spots.
The women's team holds 13 total top-five spots in the league, with Pauline Meyer (5000m), Sophie Leathers (10,000m), Avery Shell (pole vault), Imani Udoumana (triple jump) and Babette Vandeput (discus) all leading their events. Grace Flowers (hammer), Allie Hensley (high jump), Meyer (3000m steeplechase) and Sarah Trammel (10,000m) ranking second.
A-STATE IN THE NCAA WEST REGION: The Red Wolves own 13 marks inside the top 50 in the NCAA West Region on the men's side, six inside the top 32. Carter Shell leads the way in the long jump, ranking third (7.96m | 26-1.5) while Aimar Palma Simo is 12th in the hammer (65.46m | 214-9.0). Bradley Jelmert's personal-best jump of 5.25m (17-2.75) this weekend moved him up to 21st in the region.
A-State owns nine marks inside the top 50 in the region on the women's side, with three inside the top 32. Pauline Meyer is 23rd in the 3000m steeplechase (10:36.12), Imani Udouaman ranks 32nd in the triple jump (12.66m | 41-6.5) while Babette Vandeput is 17th in the discus (53.75m | 176-4.0).
A-STATE MEN SWEEP #SUNBELTOTF HONORS: Arkansas State's Lexington Hilton and Carter Shell posted outstanding performances over the weekend, garnering the Red Wolves a sweep of the Men's Track and Field Athletes of the Week honors. Hilton was named Men's Track Athlete of the Week after running a school-record 29:36.67 in the men's 10,000m at Wichita State in the first time running the race as a collegian. Shell earned this third Men's Field Athlete of the Week award of 2021 after leaping a personal-best 7.96m (26-1.5) to move up to second all-time in the men's long jump at A-State.
#EVENTSQUAD: After two meets, Arkansas State ranks 10th nationally in the women's discus throw in the USTFCCCA's #EventSquad Rankings with an average of 48.94m (160-7.0). Babette Vandeput leads the way with a mark of 53.75m (176-4.0) set two weeks ago at UAB.
UP NEXT
A-State will be back on the road next week, but will remain in the Natural State, traveling to Fayetteville, Arkansas, for the John McDonnell Invitational. The meet, hosted by Arkansas, will be run Friday-Saturday, April 23-24.
SOCIAL MEDIA
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.
