University of Tennessee at Chattanooga junior Brianna Nelson topped her personal record in the 800 meter run and was one of four Mocs to earn Top 10 finishes Saturday at the Samford Open at the Birmingham CrossPlex.
“Very good start to the year,” Chattanooga head coach Andy Meyer said. “It’s not common to have kids set PRs or be within 1-2 second of their personal best this early in the season.”
Nelson won her heat in the Mile Run, finishing eighth overall with a PR time of 5:16.37.
Freshman Sophia Neglia placed 14th overall with a time of 5:24.64 and junior Haley Morris finished right behind her with a time of 5:24.74.
Sophomore Emily Poole placed fourth in the 3000 meter run with a time of 10:23.26, less than a second behind third. Sophomore Hannah Caldwell placed ninth overall with a time of 10:33.29, topping her PR by nearly 18 seconds in the distance race.
Sophomore Abby Bateman finished fifth for the Mocs in the 800 meter run with a time of 2:19.42, just shy of her PR.
The Mocs had several compete in field events at this meet. Taylor Grayson was in both the weight throw and the shot put. Rebekah Hampton and Rebekah Bryant each participated in the long jump.
“Taylor Grayson, while not placing, had a good shot put throw,” Meyer said. “We are excited with everyone’s current level of fitness. It bodes well for May!”
Chattanooga’s next meet will be February 2 at the ETSU Buccaneer Invitational in Johnson City. Follow the action online at GoMocs.com
Weight Throw
18. Taylor Grayson 12.13m 39-09.75
Long Jump
15. Rebekah Hampton 4.69m 15-04.75
22. Rebekah Bryant 4.54m 14-10.75
Shot Put
17. Taylor Grayson 10.50m 34-05.50
60m Dash
33. Mercedes Bright 8.53m
Mile
8. Brianna Nelson 5:16.37 won heat 2 PR by 4.74
14. Sophia Neglia 5:24.64
15. Haley Morris 5:24.74
400m Dash
28. Katie Coker 1:04.13
32. Ashlynd Broling 1:05.04 (1:05.038)
800m Run
5. Abby Bateman 2:19.42 missed PR by .08
14. Jessica York 2:25.17
16. Julia Henderson 2:25.65
3000m Run
4. Emily Poole 10:23.26
9. Hannah Caldwell 10:33.29 PR by 17.90 seconds
17. Rebekah Wich 11:02.21
4x400m
11. Chattanooga 4:21.32 second in section 3
Katie Coker, Abby Bateman