“It feels like home,” freshman Jessica Kelley said after finishing first in the second heat of the 200-meter dash. Governors took advantage of being at home field dominating the competition and posting some of the best marks of the 2018-19 season. Due to inclement weather, the APSU Invitational was set to a one-day meet on April 12, however, the Governors performance showed no difference.
Opening the meet, in field events Maya Perry-Grimes trampled the competition, winning the triple jump and taking the Ohio Valley Conference lead (12.15m). Lennex Walker placed third in the long jump with a 5.60m mark, with Kelley placing her personal-best 5.55m and Nia Gibbs-Francis (5.17m) also in the top-six.
Walker also posted a personal-best in the 100m hurdles at 14.16, with Kamille Dunbar trailing behind her in second with personal-best 14.49. Governors (5-6, 3-5 OVC) continued this momentum, with Gibbs-Francis taking runner-up honors in the high jump with a 1.66m mark.
In addition to the Governor’s outstanding hard work in field events, running events were just as competitive. In the 100m dash, the track was covered with red and black, freshman Kyra Wilder was the first Gov across the line in her personal-best with a 12.06 mark.
Following Wilder, were freshman Tiyanna Johnson (12.6), and three juniors Gabrielle Netter (12.34), Perry-Grimes (12.41) and Diamond Battle (12.51). Wilder became unstoppable, winning first place in the 200m dash with a personal best of 24.29. Four Govs were among the top six finishers in the 400m dash, with Sabrina Richman taking at the top spot at 56.04, followed by Amelia Thiesing (56.34, second), Alana Johnson (fourth, 58.45) and Jessica Kelley (sixth, 59.84).
In the 800m dash, Mikaela Smith placed second (2.15.37) along with Madison Morstad (2.20.05) and Molly Howard (2.20.55) all in the top five. Morstad has repeatedly increased her performance every since she stepped onto the track. “I did something I didn’t expect, the coach has pulled potential out of me I didn’t know was there,” Morstad said.
In the midst of the events, Howard showed her game day spirit.
“I wear superhero socks every meet day, I feel like it helps me embrace superpowers,” Howard said.
Luckily, Governors showed their superpowers during this meet. APSU Women’s Track and Field will continue this 2018-19 season on April 19 at the Georgia Tech Invitational.
