CENTRAL, S.C. (April 7, 2019) – The Truett McConnell University men's and women's track & field teams competed at the Susan Rouse Invitational hosted by Southern Wesleyan University on Friday and Saturday. The Bears recorded a handful more of personal bests, including two more national standards and a new school record.
Freshman Keishon Franklin punched his ticket to nationals in the men's 400m with a time of 47.16. Franklin won the event out of 17 runners and finished ahead of the runner-up by 1.31 seconds. Fellow freshman Donald Swinson followed in eighth place with a time of 51.46.
The 4x400m relay, featuring Franklin, Sharod Cobb, Swinson and Hoy Thurman IV, also punched their ticket with a third place finish and national standard time of 3:17.29. Additionally, 4x100m improved their national standard time to 41.78, placing second overall. The squad features Thurman, Franklin, Amir Hightower and Keontrae Clayton.
Individually, Cobb won the men's 400m hurdles with an impressive time of 55.53.
In the men's field events, freshman Michael Baker finished runner-up in the men's long jump with a mark of 6.95m.
Simeon Lipsey set a new school record in the men's javelin. Lipsy placed fifth overall with a mark of 43.06m. Dillon Gooch followed in sixth place (38.61m) and Kyle Stringer followed in eighth place (35.50m). Stringer also placed seventh in the men's discus throw with a mark of 37.84m.
On the women's side, sophomore Dasia Stennett took fourth in the women's 100m with a time of 12.53. Stennett also placed runner-up in the women's 400m with a time of 58.27. Amaya Elliott followed in 10th (1:03.19). Fellow freshman Brittany Linley placed 10th in the women's 200m with a time of 28.11.
The women's 4x400m relay, featuring Esther Nakanwagi, Haley Thompson, Elliott and Stennett, took fourth with a time of 4:11.36.
In the women's field events, freshman Jasmyne Fry placed seventh overall in the women's discus throw with a mark of 31.46m. Freshman Karis Harbin followed closely in eighth with a mark of 31.29m.
For full list of results, see top of story.
Up next, TMU will compete at the Catmount Classic hosted by Western Carolina University Friday, April 12 – Saturday, April 13.
