Track team at Kentucky Relays Saturday for final OVC tune up
The Tennessee Tech track & field team heads to Lexington, Ky., this weekend to compete at the Kentucky Relays, the final tune up for coach Wayne Angel’s team before the Ohio Valley Conference Championships the following weekend.
By Rob Schabert, Assistant Athletic Director for Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Tech track & field team heads to Lexington, Ky., this weekend to compete at the Kentucky Relays, the final tune up for coach Wayne Angel's team before the Ohio Valley Conference Championships the following weekend.
In addition to running against top-notch opponents and fine-tuning techniques for the conference meet, Angel said that any records that fall or additional Golden Eagle student-athletes who might qualify for NCAA regionals would be icing on the cake.
"Our primary goal is to fine-tune for the OVC meet," Angel said. "If more of our kids qualify for the regionals, that would be a bonus. That's not our goal, but we have several who might achieve that."
The event will be held at the UK Outdoor Track & Field Complex.
Tech's roster of competitors at Kentucky will number 15 women and one men's distance runner, with entries in 13 individual events and two relays.
Freshman Na'Asha Robinson is scheduled to be Tech's busiest athlete, entered in two individual races (100m, 200m) as well as both the 4x100m and 4x400m relays.
Four Golden Eagles have their names entered in three events, including Morgan O'Neal in two individual (100m, 200m) and one relay (4x100m). The others are all in just one individual race and two relays – D'Airrien Jackson (400m), Sharnique Leonce (100m), and Crystal Liebenberg (400m hurdles).
Five other Golden Eagles will compete in two individual events each. They are Makayla Kington (Discus, Hammer), Brittany McGee (100m, 200m), Eshe' Robinson (100m hurdles, long jump), Raven Smith (long jump, triple jump), and Currin Washington (200m, 400m).
Of the balance of Tech's entries in Kentucky, three are running in the 800m – Sarah Brandt, Andrea Retano and Madison Stremler. The other two individuals are competing in field events, with Na'Scottisha Drummond in the high jump and Antonia Susnjar in the javelin.
In men's competition, Golden Eagle freshman Gilbert Boit will race in the mile run.
It's a long list of schools that will be sending athletes to the event, including Eastern Kentucky, Austin Peay and Murray State from the OVC. Among the other teams in the field in women's events will be Tennessee, Kentucky, Western Kentucky, Cincinnati, Louisville, Miami (Ohio), Marshall, Kentucky State, Birmingham Southern, Lipscomb, Xavier, and Northern Kentucky.
Tickets are $10 for adults (ages 19-64) and $2 for youth and seniors (ages 3-18, 65 and older).
Spectator parking is available in the E-lot adjacent to the track and Cliff Hagan Stadium, the new c-8 lot perpendicular to the track's home stretch and Parking Structure No. 7 (vouchers will be needed).
Results will be posted on TTUsports.com when they are available.
