HARRISONBURG, Va. – Friday marked a momentous occasion for EMU Track & Field. For the first time in over three years, the Royals held a home meet on campus, hosting the EMU Heritage Invitational at their brand new track & field complex. Athletes from Averett, Bridgewater, Hollins, Mary Baldwin, Roanoke, Sweet Briar, and Washington & Lee made the trip to compete against the Royals.
For the women's team,
Halie Mast led the way with a win in the women's 1500m run as the Royals combined for six podium finishes in unseasonably chilly conditions.
Highlights
- DISTANCE/MID-DISTANCE
- 1500m Run: Mast's winning time in the 1500m was 5:04.62, 1.62 seconds ahead of runner-up Nicky Black of Mary Baldwin. Erin Loker rounded out the top three for EMU, crossing the line in 5:12.93.
- 800m Run: Elili Asefa finished fourth in a time of 2:25.53.
- 5000m Run: Loker represented the Royals in the 5k, completing 12.5 laps of the track in 19:48.29, just four seconds off of her personal best.
- 3000m Steeplechase: Mast completed an impressive double, claiming the runner-up spot in a time of 12:01.57.
- SPRINTS
- 100m Dash: Nia Boyd had a double PR day, starting with a fourth-place finish and a time of 13.73 in the 100.
- 200m Dash: Boyd's second personal best came in the 200, breaking the tape in a time of 28.79.
- 100m Hurdles: Sha'Dymon Blanton made her season debut with a third-place showing and a time of 16.80.
- JUMPS
- Long Jump: Faith Schultz made the podium with a jump of 4.95m (16'-3") for a third-place finish. Teammate Angel David was right behind her in fourth, making her mark at 4.90m (16'-1").
- High Jump: Schultz cleared the bar at 1.35m (4'-5"), good for fourth place.
- THROWS
- Discus: Aldora Tuilaepa took second place with an excellent throw of 35.04m (114'-11").
- Hammer: Tuilaepa was the top Royal in the hammer, turning in a best throw of 41.70m (136'-10"). Lily Gatesman set a new personal record with a mark of 30.01m (98'-5").
- Shot Put: Tuilaepa and Emma Greer both set personal records with throws of 9.82m (32'-2.75") and 9.60m (31'-6"), respectively.
What's Next
The EMU Track & Field team will hit the road for the Shippensburg Mid-Week PR Bonanza in Shippensburg, Pa., on Wednesday, April 16.
