Track and field continues indoor season at Niswonger Invitational

Robert Huitt

With a full squad in tow this weekend, numerous Eagles on Georgia Southern University’s track and field team finished within the top 10 of their respective events at the Niswonger Invitational.

On day one of the two-day tournament, freshman Ashleigh Rasheed finished eighth in the triple jump with a final jump of 11.49m.

In the high jump, freshman Keyanna Harris came in sixth after jumping 1.58m.

Freshmen Jazmine Johnson and Kelsey Chandler and junior Mallory Fannin represented the Eagles in the weight throw. Chandler had the best throw among the trio with a final distance of 11.7m (28th), followed by Fannin at 11.08m (30th) and Johnson at 10.62m (32nd).

The rest of day one served as qualifying rounds for the 60m dash, 60m hurdles and 400m dash.

Day two for the Eagles started with the one mile run. Junior Sara Curry finished the event with a time of 5:32.73, which was good enough for 19th.

In the long jump, sophomore Jasmine Walker jumped a distance of 5.58m, earning her a sixth place finish. Freshman Alyssa Felton finished seventh behind Walker with a jump of 5.52m, which also set a new personal best in her young career.

“We still have a lot to work on, but any time you have people setting personal bests, it’s a good thing,” head coach Marlo Mincey said.

Sophomore Kimberly Thomas and senior Ebony Carter added to the top 10 totals later in the day by earning fifth place finishes in the 400m dash finals and 60m dash finals respectively. Thomas ran a time of 59.14 in her event and Carter ran a 7.72 in hers.

Over the weekend, freshmen and sophomores provided some of the best results for the team, which has been a common theme throughout this early portion of the indoor season.

“These events provide experience for everyone. This is good for the freshmen, but the upperclassmen are benefitting as well,” Mincey said.

East Tennessee State University hosted the tournament in Johnson City, Tenn. and the field included Southern Conference rivals such as Appalachian State University, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Western Carolina University and Wofford College.

Up next for the Eagles is a stop in Gainesville, Fla. to compete in the Jimmy Carnes Invitational on Saturday, Jan. 26.