May 7, 2011

Tech adds points in hurdles, relays at OVC Championships

Freshman Brittany Cotto and Tennessee Tech's relay teams earned points Saturday on the second day of the 2011 Ohio Valley Conference Track & Field Championships as the Golden Eagles finished eighth.

MURRAY, Ky. -- Freshman Brittany Cotto (in photo) earned a seventh place showing in the 400-meter hurdles and Tennessee Tech's two relay teams -- with Cotto in both lineups -- also added points to the squad's total as the Golden Eagles wrapped up the 2011 Ohio Valley Conference Track & Field Championships in eighth place Saturday.

Eastern Illinois narrowly repeated as the team champion with 185 total points, edging a determined Southeast Missouri with 181 points. Eastern Kentucky (136) was third, followed by Jacksonville State (106.5), Murray State (48), Austin Peay (44), Tennessee State (34.5), Tennessee Tech (25) and Morehead State (16).

Cotto, who posted a career-best Friday in the prelims to advance to the finals, narrowly missed that mark Saturday. She ran a 1:05.74 to place seventh and add two points to the Golden Eagle total.

A freshman from Sacramento, Calif., Cotto also ran a leg on each of Tech's relay teams Saturday. She covered the second leg of the 4x100 relay where the Golden Eagles earned a fifth place finish and four points. Cotto was joined by Krysten Joshen, Justine Phillips and Ifey Eguzo in posting a 50.82 time.

The 4x400, which was the final event of the meet, saw the Golden Eagles finish sixth in the time of 4:02.34, also with Cotto in the lineup. Senior Danielle Catlett opened the event for the Golden Eagles, followed by Emily Weinzetl, Cotto and senior Katherine Lynn.

Freshman Kelli Keck narrowly missed scoring in the triple jump, fininshing ninth with a leap of 33 feet, 5.75 inches.

Tech runners also posted three personal best marks on the second day of the meet. In the 1,500-meter run, Leah Bradley ran a PR of 5:16.00. The other two career marks came in the 5,000-meter run where freshman Rebecca Cline posted a 19:28.23 and sophomore Beth Miller ran a 19:53.27.