Purple and gold return to Nashville for Music City Challenge
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Tech indoor track and field team heads to Nashville for one final tune-up before the Ohio Valley Conference Indoor Championships later this month, taking on Vanderbilt's Music City Challenge on Friday and Saturday at the David Williams II Recreation and Wellness Center.
By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Tech indoor track and field team heads to Nashville for one final tune-up before the Ohio Valley Conference Indoor Championships later this month, taking on Vanderbilt's Music City Challenge on Friday and Saturday at the David Williams II Recreation and Wellness Center.
Music City Challenge Information
Feb. 14-15, 2025 – Located at the David Williams II Recreation and Wellness Center in Nashville, Tenn., Friday's action will kick off with field events at 10:00 a.m. CT and running events at 4:30 p.m. Saturday will open with running events beginning at 8:30 a.m. and field events kicking off at 9:00 a.m.
What to Watch For
Just a week ago, the Golden Eagles produced another strong showing while competing at the UAB Vulcan Invite in Birmingham, Ala. Leading the way for the purple and gold with a podium performance in the high jump was Ally Beneke, clearing 1.68 meters (5'6") for the OVC's third-best mark of the year. Madison Johnson placed fourth in the event with a jump of 1.63 meters (5'4.25").
Sophomore Mattie Bush took the podium in the long jump with a third-place leap and PR of 5.52 meters(18'1.5"). Joining her teammate in the finals of the long jump, Sidnee Stanton placed fourth overall with a mark of 5.49 meters (18'0.25").
Youngster Carolina Bannach earned a fifth-place finish in the pole vault after clearing the mark of 3.51 meters (11'6.25") while rookie Tyla Street delivered an impressive showing in the triple jump by placing fifth with a leap of 11.49 meters (37'8.5").
On the track, Rachael Brewer turned in a new PR in the 400-meter dash, blazing to a time of 59.86 seconds. Hannah Little dropped a massive career mark in the 200-meter dash, crossing the finish line at 25.80 seconds.
Covering the mile for the purple and gold, Hannah Faudi and Hayley Stegall each earned PRs in the event. Faudi clocked in at 5:17.08 while Stegall finished with a time of 5:19.91. A quartet of Golden Eagle distance runners delivered top-10 showings in the 3,000-meter run, earning third, fourth, fifth, and seventh.
Rookie Rylee Wells led the group with a time of 9:56.68 while newcomer Naomy Lokiles finished with a time of 9:56.76, both earning new career records. Makaleigh Jessee and Savanna Amos wrapped up the crew with a pair of PRs, clocking in at 10:07.88 and 10:11.57, respectively.
Up Next
The Golden Eagles close out the season at the OVC Indoor Track & Field Championships, competing in Indianapolis, Ind. on Tuesday, Feb. 25 and Wednesday, Feb. 26 at the Indiana Farm Bureau Fall Creek Pavilion.
Photo by Reily Rogers
