Women's Track and Field 5/8/2019 9:00:00 PM

TRACK & FIELD GETS OFF TO GREAT START ON DAY ONE OF BIG SOUTH CHAMPIONSHIPS

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ROCK HILL, S.C. – The Radford Track & Field team secured its first medal and sent several athletes through to finals on the first day of the 2019 Big South Outdoor Track & Field Championships at the Irwin Belk Track & Field Complex on Wednesday.

Kiara Price got the meet started as the Highlanders' lone representative in the heptathlon. She racked up 2,410 points to sit in seventh place through four of the seven events.

Looking to make an impact in her first outdoor championships after transferring the Radford last summer, Price nearly posted season bests in the 100-meter hurdles (16.17 seconds) and in the shot put (10.07 meters). She hadn't yet competed in the high jump or 200-meter dash this season, but did well with results of 1.35 meters and 26.88 seconds respectively.

It was junior thrower Ana Kramer who picked up Radford's first points of the meet, taking fifth place in the javelin throw. She threw a season-best 33.62 meters (110'4") to give the Highlanders four points. Usually a distance runner, Chloe Phillips took 10^th place despite never having officially competed in the javelin on the collegiate level and fellow distance runner Ellie Look earned a personal record in the event.

Then in the long jump, Kierra Henderson earned another eight points for the Highlanders with a 2nd place finish. The Lorton, Va. native matched her personal record of 5.70 meters (18'8.5") to step up on the podium and take home a silver medal. The mark, which she first reached at the Virginia Grand Prix last month, still ranks fifth in program history.

Madison Graham showed well in the discus throw, reaching the finals with one of the top nine throws in the prelims. Her best distance of the day was 37.35 meters (122'6").

Tenae Washington was the first in a series of runners who qualified for finals this week. She crossed the finish line of the 400-meter hurdles in 1:04.59 to take seventh in the prelims and save her spot in Friday's final round.

After Washington, it was La'Tisha Chambers turn to punch her ticket to the finals in the 200-meter dash. Like she has been doing all season, Chambers dominated the competition in the prelims to run a 24.08 and place second in the field.

Wrapping up a successful day was the dynamic duo of Kayland Bond and Annsley Eckert. They each earned a place in Friday's 1,500 meter finals with times of 4:48.02 and 4:50.82 respectively in the prelims.

STANDINGS AFTER DAY ONE
1) Hampton – 46
2) Campbell – 35
3) High Point – 27
4) Charleston Southern – 16
5) Radford – 12
6) Winthrop – 10
7) USC Upstate – 5
8) UNC Asheville – 4
9) Gardner-Webb – 1

TWEET OF THE DAY

Kierra Henderson caps the day with a silver medal in the long jump! She matches her PR with a distance of 5.70 meters (18'8.5") ??#RiseAndDefend | #BigSouthOTF pic.twitter.com/PLCeW6vnwS
— Radford T&F/XC (@RadfordTrackXC) May 9, 2019

THURSDAY EVENT SCHEDULE
Noon - Long Jump (Hep)
1:10pm - Javelin (Hep)
2:30pm - 800m (Hep)
4:30pm - Shot Put
6:00pm - 100mH prelims
6:30pm - High Jump
6:35pm - 400m prelims
7:10pm - 100m prelims
7:45pm - 800m prelims
8:15pm - 3K Steeplechase

UP NEXT
The 2019 Big South Outdoor Track & Field Championships continue on Thursday, May 9 beginning with the heptathlon long jump at noon. Field events begin at 4:30 p.m. with the shot put and runner take the track at 6 p.m. for the 100-meter hurdles.

FOLLOW RADFORD TRACK AND FIELD ON SOCIAL MEDIA
For more information on the Radford women's track and field team follow @RadfordTrackXC on Twitter and Instagram or Radford Track & Field/Cross Country on Facebook.

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