Throwers lead the way for track and field in Birmingham

The Trojan throwers on the track and field team once again had strong performances and set several personal bests this weekend at the Samford Invitational.

In the Trojans’ sixth meet of the 2016 season, the improvement of individual athletes and the team as a whole was made clear by their performances against fellow Sun Belt athletes as well as other conferences such as the SEC and Conference USA.

“We didn’t accomplish everything we wanted to this weekend, but we did see progress from a few individuals who capitalized on the opportunity to compete one more time before the Sun Belt Conference championship meet,”director Marc Davis said. “Now, they can roll with that momentum next week.

“As for the people who didn’t quite hit the mark this weekend, I’m confident they will use this as a learning experience and be even more motivated to bring their best efforts to the conference meet.”

A throw of 13.79 meters was enough to give freshman Indiya Summerville her second best of the season in the shot put. The Tuscaloosa native earned fifth place for her toss.

Junior Allison Taylor of Kansas City, Missouri, equaled her career best of 16.48 meters in the weight throw.

Carissa Madson, a sophomore from Novato, California, went through her first two pole vault attempts without a miss. Madson’s 3.35 meter vault was enough for seventh place, but not enough to surpass her career best of 3.50 meters, a personal record she set last weekend at the Jaguar Invitational.

A finish of 24.81 seconds from sophomore Sydney Wright was the fifth-fastest 200-meter dash time recorded among Sun Belt athletes this year. The Columbus, Georgia native’s time also  set her fastest this season.

Another personal-best mark was created by freshman Gemma Finch of Newbury, England, with a 60-meter hurdle finish of 9.40 seconds.

The women’s track and field team returns to the Birmingham CrossPlex to compete in the Sun Belt Conference championship meet on Monday, Feb. 22, and Tuesday, Feb. 23.