BLACK MOUNTAIN, N.C. --- Tusculum University received several strong performances from its throwers and distance runners on the first day of the Montreat College Invitational on Friday, in the Pioneers' 2022 outdoor track and field season opener.
Tusculum's women are tied for third place in the team standings while the men are sixth through eight events. Competition in 14 events on day two will commence Saturday at 10 a.m.
WOMEN'S RECAP
Senior Shanee Angol won the javelin throw with a best mark of 40.42 meters (132 feet, 7 inches). Angol had the top three throws in the competition and four of the best five in the field of 27 throwers.
Freshman Amber Hogan set a school record and took sixth place in the hammer throw with a best mark of 40.94 meters (134 feet, 4 inches). Hogan shattered the previous school record of 34.69 meters (113 feet, 10 inches) set by Alyssa Farmer at the 2019 SAC Championship.
On the track, freshman Nicole Griffith finished second in the steeplechase with a time of 12:19.57. Grad student Javiera Ortiz took fourth in the 10000 meters and just missed a school record, running 40:14.92 to come within seven seconds of the mark set by Alissa Furches at the 2019 SAC Championship.
In the 5000 meters, freshman Celine McNally was seventh in 19:56.37 and junior Erin Bruce took ninth place in 20:11.46. McNally's time was the 10th-fastest in school history while Bruce beat her previous career best in the event by 13 seconds.
Sophomore Emily Coddington was 15th overall in the 1500 meters with a time of 5:04.80.
UNC Asheville is atop the team standings with 50 points, followed by College of Charleston with 46. Tusculum is in a three-way tie for third place at 29 points with Carson-Newman and host Montreat.
MEN'S RECAP
Junior Antonio Aparicio finished third in the 1500 meters with a time of 4:01.83, just under two seconds short of his career best and the fourth-best mark in school history. Senior Kyler Hodges was 17th overall in 4:16.09, senior Carson Walls was 26th in 4:22.41 and freshman Evan Bruce took 31st place at 4:25.23.
Sophomore Ray Richardson took third place in the 10000 meters, running 32:28.97 for the third-best time in the event in school history. Freshman Gideon Dowling was sixth overall in the steeplechase in a time of 10:39.32.
Tusculum is in sixth place through eight events with 15 points. Host Montreat leads the men's standings with 52 points, followed by Lees-McRae and Belmont Abbey in a tie for second with 26 points, Carson-Newman in fourth with 25 points and UNC Asheville at 18 points for fifth place.
Montreat Invitational - Day 1 of 2
Tusculum results
MEN
1500: 3. Antonio Aparicio, 4:01.83; 17. Kyler Hodges, 4:16.09; 26. Carson Walls, 4:22.41; 31. Evan Bruce, 4:25.23.
Steeplechase: 6. Gideon Dowling, 10:39.32.
10000: 3. Ray Richardson, 32:28.97.
Top 6 team scores (through 8 events): 1. Montreat, 52; 2. Lees-McRae, 26; 2. Belmont Abbey, 26; 4. Carson-Newman, 25; 5. UNC Asheville, 18; 6. Tusculum, 15.
WOMEN
1500: 15. Emily Coddington, 5:04.80.
Steeplechase: 2. Nicole Griffith, 12:19.57.
5000: 7. Celine McNally, 19:56.37; 9. Erin Bruce, 20:11.46.
10000: 4. Javiera Ortiz, 40:14.92.
Javelin: 1. Shanee Angol, 40.42m (132-7).
Hammer throw: 6. Amber Hogan, 40.94m (134-4) (school record)
Top 5 team scores (through 8 events): 1. UNC Asheville, 50; 2. College of Charleston, 46; 3. Tusculum, 29; 3. Carson-Newman, 29; 3. Montreat, 29.
