January 17, 2026
Indoor Track & Field Makes Solid Debut at Vanderbilt Invitational
Indoor Track & Field Makes Solid Debut at Vanderbilt Invitational
By Caden Smith, TTU Athletics Media Relations
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee Tech Track & Field opened the 2026 indoor season Friday and Saturday, competing in Nashville at the Vanderbilt Invitational.
The Golden Eagles had an impressive showing, with two first-place finishes, as well as numerous personal records and notable collegiate debuts in a very competitive field.
"It was a strong start all around for the squad. We've got work to do in all areas, but are excited for this team," said Head Coach Peter Dalton.
Tech's distance squad showed up most notably; Jane Lokiles now holds the OVC's fastest 5,000-meter time of 17:53.57, along with a first-place finish. Zaely Tilt started her season off strong, finishing eighth in the 5,000m with a career-best time of 18:34.16. Joy Jepleting recorded a personal-record mile time of 5:17.77.
Tech's Distance Medley Relay team placed fifth with a time of 12:15.27, a 20-second improvement from their best mark last season. The team consisted of Naomy Lokiles, Aliyah Kennedy, Grainne Moran, and Rylee Wells.
Tech's jumpers had a strong showing with Junior Madison Johnson winning the Women's High Jump with a leap of 1.64m (5-4 1/2). Tech's OVC Preseason Field Athlete to Watch Ally Beneke finished third in the High Jump Invite with a leap of 1.68m (5-6). Tyla Street jumped a career-best 4.92m (16-1 2 3/4) in the Long Jump and leaped a solid 11.53 meters in the Triple-Jump.
Tech's sprinting squad showed off its young talent with Freshman Kennedi Winbush finishing with a personal best 200m time of 25.29 seconds, grabbing 20th out of 49 sprinters in a deep field during her Golden Eagle debut. Winbush also ran a career-best 60-meter time of 7.76 seconds that earned her a spot in the Women's 60m semi-finals. Freshman Analee Seratt recorded a career-best 200-meter time of 26.77 seconds and a personal best 60-meter time of 8.42 seconds.
Hannah Little and Kyla Joy both competed in the 400-meter dash. Little finished with a personal best indoor time of 57.64 seconds, and Kyla Joy finished with a personal best time of 59.43 seconds.
Paris Bowles ran a personal best 2:14.49 indoor 800-meter time, Bowles placed first in her heat and 14th out of 50 runners overall. Rachel Brewer also ran a personal best 800-meter time of 2:22.48.
Chase Wolfenbarger scored a personal best 2,622 points in her Pentathlon debut with the Golden Eagles. Her performance included five career-bests, a 60-meter hurdles time of 9.59 seconds, a high jump height of 1.46m (4-9 1/2), a shot-put throw of 7.92m (26-0), a long jump leap of 4.86m (15-11 1/2), and a career-best 800m time of 3:02.99.
Angela Hoover scored a career-best 2,553 points in the Pentathlon. Her performance included four personal bests, which included: a 60-meter hurdles time of 9.91 seconds, a High Jump height of 1.43m (4-8 1/4), a shot-put throw of 6.71m (22-0 1/4), and a Long Jump leap of 5.15m (16-10 ¾).
UP NEXT
The Golden Eagles travel to Birmingham, Alabama, for the UAB Green and Gold Invite. The meeting is set for Friday, February 6.
FOLLOW THE GOLDEN EAGLES
Fans can keep up with the latest in Tennessee Tech Cross Country and Track & Field by following us on Facebook (facebook.com/TTUXCTF), X (@TNTech_XC_TF), and Instagram (tntechxctf).
"It was a strong start all around for the squad. We've got work to do in all areas, but are excited for this team," said Head Coach Peter Dalton.
Tech's distance squad showed up most notably; Jane Lokiles now holds the OVC's fastest 5,000-meter time of 17:53.57, along with a first-place finish. Zaely Tilt started her season off strong, finishing eighth in the 5,000m with a career-best time of 18:34.16. Joy Jepleting recorded a personal-record mile time of 5:17.77.
Tech's Distance Medley Relay team placed fifth with a time of 12:15.27, a 20-second improvement from their best mark last season. The team consisted of Naomy Lokiles, Aliyah Kennedy, Grainne Moran, and Rylee Wells.
Tech's jumpers had a strong showing with Junior Madison Johnson winning the Women's High Jump with a leap of 1.64m (5-4 1/2). Tech's OVC Preseason Field Athlete to Watch Ally Beneke finished third in the High Jump Invite with a leap of 1.68m (5-6). Tyla Street jumped a career-best 4.92m (16-1 2 3/4) in the Long Jump and leaped a solid 11.53 meters in the Triple-Jump.
Tech's sprinting squad showed off its young talent with Freshman Kennedi Winbush finishing with a personal best 200m time of 25.29 seconds, grabbing 20th out of 49 sprinters in a deep field during her Golden Eagle debut. Winbush also ran a career-best 60-meter time of 7.76 seconds that earned her a spot in the Women's 60m semi-finals. Freshman Analee Seratt recorded a career-best 200-meter time of 26.77 seconds and a personal best 60-meter time of 8.42 seconds.
Hannah Little and Kyla Joy both competed in the 400-meter dash. Little finished with a personal best indoor time of 57.64 seconds, and Kyla Joy finished with a personal best time of 59.43 seconds.
Paris Bowles ran a personal best 2:14.49 indoor 800-meter time, Bowles placed first in her heat and 14th out of 50 runners overall. Rachel Brewer also ran a personal best 800-meter time of 2:22.48.
Chase Wolfenbarger scored a personal best 2,622 points in her Pentathlon debut with the Golden Eagles. Her performance included five career-bests, a 60-meter hurdles time of 9.59 seconds, a high jump height of 1.46m (4-9 1/2), a shot-put throw of 7.92m (26-0), a long jump leap of 4.86m (15-11 1/2), and a career-best 800m time of 3:02.99.
Angela Hoover scored a career-best 2,553 points in the Pentathlon. Her performance included four personal bests, which included: a 60-meter hurdles time of 9.91 seconds, a High Jump height of 1.43m (4-8 1/4), a shot-put throw of 6.71m (22-0 1/4), and a Long Jump leap of 5.15m (16-10 ¾).
UP NEXT
The Golden Eagles travel to Birmingham, Alabama, for the UAB Green and Gold Invite. The meeting is set for Friday, February 6.
FOLLOW THE GOLDEN EAGLES
Fans can keep up with the latest in Tennessee Tech Cross Country and Track & Field by following us on Facebook (facebook.com/TTUXCTF), X (@TNTech_XC_TF), and Instagram (tntechxctf).
