Cougars Throw Down in Outdoor Opener
3/12/2016 2:08:00 AM | Women's Track & Field
WILMINGTON, N.C. - The College of Charleston track & field team dipped its toes in the waters of outdoor competition Friday, as the opening day of the UNCW Seahawk Invitational allowed the Cougars a chance to showcase their throwers.
Freshmen Jenny Martin and Nicole Lane highlighted the day for the College in the javelin throw, with senior Ciera Holston making a strong showing as well. All three finished among the Top 5, and both newcomers cracked the CofC All-Time Top 10 list in their first foray into the event.
Martin finished second with a big-time toss of 39.89m, launching her right up to No. 2 in CofC history. Lane finished fifth in the event and likewise landed at fifth on the College's all-time ranks with a heave of 34.95m. Holston finished just ahead of her in fourth with a heave of 35.09m, just under a meter and a half off of her personal best.
The only other event the Cougar women competed in Friday was the hammer throw, and the College saw similar results on that end as well. Once again, the Cougars finished second, fourth and fifth, this time led by the efforts of junior Alex Coyle's heave of 43.25m. Behind her in fourth, Alexis Wilkins shaved half a meter off of her personal best with a toss of 42.01m. Freshman Courtney Brooks etched her name onto the school's Top 10 list at No. 5 with a throw of 41.55m, earning her a fifth place finish.
The meet will intensify to a much greater degree tomorrow, particularly in the track events. The day will begin for the Cougars when their multi-event participants try their hands at the shot put. More throws still come after that, when Coyle, Wilkins and Brooks all transition to the discus throw.
“Our three discus throwers made major headway during the indoor season with the weight throw,” head coach Amy Seago said. “Technical improvement in the weight usually predicts future success in both the hammer and discus. I think they have a lot to look forward to outdoors.”
Out on the track, indoor standouts Kennay Agnew, Deanna King, Jordan Gravelle, Timedsha Moody, Rachel Leder and others will be making the transition to the outdoor venue, which will include events not seen during the indoor campaign such as the 4x100m relay and 400m hurdles.
“We have the personnel to make some major progress in the short relays,” Seago said. “Early in the season, it's all about trying to find the best combination that will work for us, but I think we're at a good starting point.”
“As for the 400m hurdles, we return Rachel Leder and Alexia Neal to an event they excel at, but we also add the likes of Brooke Dudley, Brianna Lewis and Katie Linn,” Seago said. “Strong veterans help with the learning process, and these younger folks are showing that they have the ability to turn some heads.”
Lastly, record-holder Carlee Cassidy is returning to compete in the steeplechase, although it will be the 2000m-variety rather than its better known 3000m counter-part.
“This will be a good opportunity for Carlee to knock some of the rust off from last season,” Seago said. “She's had some impressive workouts lately, and I'm interested to see what type of results those will yield in a competition setting.”
Action begins at 10 a.m. at the Harold Green Track & Field Complex.
Players Mentioned
