FREEPORT, BAHAMAS (March 18) – The Texas A&M men’s and women’s track and field teams made a strong start at the Island Relays Bahamas Invitational held at the Grand Bahamas Sports Complex on Friday. The Aggies’ athletes dominated the javelin events, with Katelyn Fairchild and Lianna Davidson leading the way in the women’s javelin.
Fairchild took the top spot with a throw of 53.40m (175-2), and Davidson secured the second spot with a throw of 52.25m (171-5), which came in the sixth and final round. Arizona’s Erin Tack grabbed the bronze medal with a best mark of 44.86m (147-2) to complete the podium. Fans can keep up with the live results provided by MileSplit at http://milesplit.live/meets/517091/events
On the men’s side, Sam Hankins set a personal best of 70.59m (231-7) in the 4th round to clinch the win with a dominating performance. He also 69.24m (227-2) in the 2nd round, and 69.19m (227-0) in round one. Jared O’Riley of Arizona threw 69.15m (226-10) for the silver with Julian Stoicoviciu claiming bronze with a throw of 63.04m (206-10).
Jordan Geist of Arizona dominated the men’s Hammer Throw with a winning mark of 73.94m (242-7). He also throw 71.04m in the second round and 70.29m in the final round of the competition.
In action on the track, Jania Martin of Texas A&M clocked a personal best of 52.56 to win the women’s 400m. Jahnile Registre and Aalliyah Francis of South Carolina 53.28 and 53.29 were second third, respectively. In the men’s 400m, Edward Richardson of South Carolina won with a time of 47.01 seconds, followed by Arizona’s Carl Hicks (47.14) and Isaac Davis (47.37).
Talie Bonds of Arizona qualified for the women’s 100m hurdles final with the quickest time of 13.28, with Texas A&M’s Jaiya Covington next with 13.61. Aggies sprinter Camryn Dickson ran the fastest time in the heats for the women’s 100m final with a time of 11.64.
Texas A&M’s Jermaisha Arnold ran a new personal best of 23.38 to finish second in the women’s 200m, behind Jayla Jamison of South Carolina who won the event with 23.28. Former Aggie, Charokee Young of Jamaica was third in 23.57.
Meanwhile, Zarik Brown of Oklahoma to a close men’s 200m, earning the victory just ahead of 21.02 A&M’s Jordan Chopane, who set a personal best of 21.02 to take second. OU’s Muzuri Mattar ran 21.05 for third place.
“We had good things happen today,” Texas A&M head coach Pat Henry said. “We started off strong and we had a good amount of people that advanced to tomorrow’s finals.
“It’s a competitive meet and it’s about finding out where we are right now heading into the outdoor season. We’re looking for our athletes to step up and compete. We had some things happen today that show light at the end of the tunnel.”
The second day of the event will feature the women’s 3000m and the men’s race, followed by the field events, which will end before the running events start at 1:15 p.m.
Fans can keep up with the live results provided by MileSplit at http://milesplit.live/meets/517091/events.
