The Alabama women’s track and field team ended its week with 17 top-10 finishes at the Auburn War Eagle Invitational on April 15-16.
“Last weekend, some of our distance girls, throwers and sprinters all had personal bests,” head coach Sandy Fowler said. “That’s been happening every single weekend. That’s the way it should work. The team as a whole realizes that everyone’s doing well and by the SECs we will be ready to go.”
The Tide finished with three top-10 individuals in the javelin throw. Senior Meghan Austin led the Tide in second place with a score of 144-11. Junior Brittany Hines came in fifth place with a score of 135-11, while sophomore Bekah Hoppis finished in seventh place with a score of 132-10.
The 1500-meter run invitational also had three top-10 finishes for the team. Junior Leigh Gilmore finished in third with a time of 4:37.50. Sophomore Katlyn Will came in at seventh and ran a season-best time of 4:42.48. Will was followed closely by sophomore Elsbeth Denton, who finished in eighth with a time of 4:44.42.
Fowler said Gilmore’s sister, junior Sarah Gilmore, was one of the many who earned a season-best this past weekend.
“She’s going to do well,” Fowler said. “I think she is ready to earn another one. It’s either the 800 or the 1500 because she’s entered in both events. So, we will see.”
The 400-meter hurdle had one top-10 finish, while the 100-meter hurdle finish had two. Senior Talaya Owens earned a fourth place finish in the 400-meter hurdle with a time of 59.71. Senior Kim Laing finished with a time of 13.52 and came in at fourth place in the 100-meter hurdle. Junior Kaylon Eppinger followed close behind Laing in sixth place with a time of 13.68.
Continuing personal and career bests, the Tide had two athletes who finished with personal-bests in the hammer throw. Freshman Aoife Hickey recorded a personal-best score of 174-05 and finished in 10th place. Sophomore Lee Stowers also recorded a personal-best with a score of 164-03 to finish in 14th. Junior Amethyst Holmes finished the event in 17th with a score of 159-04.
Fowler said the key is for the team to move forward.
“You have to get your seasonal best every time you hit the track and if you don’t get that, go for your personal best,” Fowler said. “Then, as you get closer to the SEC Championships and NCAA regionals, you know you’re ready and prepared to compete in whatever your event is.”
Fowler said the team is doing well by learning to be competitive at practice and at events. She said the team is looking forward to the rest of the season.
“The team has absolute love for the sport,” Fowler said. “Some positive things come with success and that’s what they’re feeling right now.”
The Tide will be back in action on April 23 in Oxford, Miss., to compete in the Mississippi Open.
