Radford Makes Strong First Impression in Outdoor Debut

Friday, March 26

Rock Hill, S.C.

Radford University

Winthrop Adidas Invitational

Radford Makes Strong First Impression in Outdoor Debut

3/27/2021 4:30:00 PM | Women's Track and Field

ROCK HILL, S.C. – The Highlanders completed competition Saturday afternoon with plenty of successful results to fill the two day schedule at the Winthrop Adidas Invitational.

DAY ONE

First up was the javelin throw where freshman Lauren Stuart made her collegiate debut in the event finishing fourth with a 29.42m throw which is good for seventh-best in program history. Next up in the high jump, Taylor Tinsley made her return to the outdoor event placing third overall. This marked Tinsley's first outdoor appearance in the event since winning the Big South Championship high jump in 2019.

Finishing up the field events for the day were Makayla Jones, Maddie Wright, and Stuart in the long jump. Jones was the top finisher in the event for Radford while Wright made her first of three personal records on the day.

"Wright has been working hard through the pandemic and ever since we returned to campus," commented director of track and field Shelli Sayers. "To see her work and consistency in training start paying off is exciting."

Moving onto the track events, Radford started with the 200-meter dash. Felicia Hewitt tied for ninth overall in program history with her time and finished ninth amongst all competitors. Several other Highlanders competed in the 200-meter such as Sa'Moan Rookard, Karah Foster, Alexis Stafford, Brauna Lane, Talasjah Weathersby, and Julia Burkley who all made the 2021 outdoor debuts.

Wright was the lone Highlander to compete in the 100-meter hurdles and set another personal record. Mackenzie Gardner and Savannah Hoff represented Radford in the 800-meter event with Gardner running a six second personal record and making her first appearance in the record books with a tenth-fastest time in program history.

The final event of the day was the 4x100-meter relay where the team of Denisha Hoosier, Foster, Stafford, and Weathersby finished second overall in the event. The team's strong performance was also good for sixth in the program record book.

DAY TWO

In the second day of competition Radford kicked things off in the discus throw where Madison Graham made her first appearance this season. Jordan Booker also made her first appearance this season in the triple jump.

Moving onto the track portion of competition, the Highlanders started the day in the 400-meter race where Rookard won her section and finished fourth overall. Rookard's mark also puts her tenth all-time in program history. In the 100-meter dash Hoosier was the top-finishing Highlander placing eleventh overall while competing in a tough flight.

The distance runners returned for the 1500-meter race where Kayland Bond marked the fastest time on the team finishing eighth overall in a challenging flight. Gardner finished right behind her at ninth overall, while MegAnne Gilmore and Abby Siegel both made the collegiate outdoor debuts.

The weekend concluded with the 4x400-meter relay event where the team of Foster, Lane, Wright, and Hewitt recorded their season best time. Their performance was third-best in their flight and third-best overall.

"We had an incredible start to the outdoor season," add Sayers. "To be at our best or setting personal bests this early is exciting. We have set ourselves up nicely for the remainder of the season, with our focus always on the conference championships in May.

UP NEXT
Radford will turn its focus to the Vertklasse Meet hosted by High Point next weekend between April 1st and 2nd.

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For more updates on the Radford Track and Field program, check out RadfordAthletics.com, follow @RadfordTrackXC on Twitter as well as 'radfordtrackxc' on Instagram and Radford Track and Field and Cross Country on Facebook.