LEXINGTON, Va. – The EMU Track & Field team opened up the spring outdoor portion of their 2025 season this weekend, traveling an hour down I-81 to compete in the Washington & Lee Carnival in Lexington.
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The women's team had standout performances from first-year thrower
Aldora Tuilaepa, senior distance runner
Jenna Weaver, and sophomore sprinter
Faith Schultz, all of whom achieved EMU top 10 all-time marks in one or more events.
Highlights
- DISTANCE/MID-DISTANCE
- 1500m Run:Â In the invite section of the 1500m, Weaver placed 10th overall in a personal best time of 4:55.59. With that performance, Weaver is now seventh in EMU history in the outdoor 1500m. Elili Asefa also set a personal record, crossing the finish line in 5:05.86.
- SPRINTS
- 100m Dash: Abby Atwood led the way for the Royals with a time of 13.86, while Nia Boyd set a personal record time of 13.92.
- 200m Dash: Angel David was the fastest Royal in this event with a time of 28.06. Boyd also PR'd in the 200, clocking in at 29.10.
- 100m Hurdles: Running into a headwind, Schultz hurdled her way to a personal record of 17.05 to place ninth overall. Schultz is now eighth in EMU history in the 100m hurdles.
- JUMPS
- Long Jump: Schultz was the top Royal in the long jump, setting a mark of 4.97m (16'-3.75") to slot into ninth place overall.
- THROWS
- Discus: Tuilaepa made an immediate impact in her first college meet, making the podium with a third-place finish and a throw of 35.11m (115'-2").
- Hammer: Tuilaepa saved her best for the hammer throw, heaving a mark of 43.57m (142'-11") to finish fifth and vault all the way up to second in EMU history in the event.
- Javelin: Lily Gatesman represented the Royals in the javelin, placing 16th with a mark of 21.00m (68'-11").
What's Next
The EMU Track & Field team will split up at two different meets next weekend. Some athletes will go to the Doc Jopson Invite at Bridgewater College, while other Royals will compete at the Dr. Jack Toms Alumni Invitational at the University of Lynchburg. Both meets are taking place on Friday and Saturday, March 28-29.
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