February 10, 2018

Tech adds three more program records to conclude Tyson Invitational

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Tennessee Tech capped its visit at the Tyson Invitational on Saturday with three more school records.

By Layne Weitzel, TTU Sports Information

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Tennessee Tech capped its visit at the Tyson Invitational on Saturday with three more school records.

The Golden Eagles also had three broken records on Friday to start the meet, totaling six in a span of two days. Tech wrapped up the invitational today with the triple and high jumps, 200m dash and 5000m run.

Seven Golden Eagles appeared in the 200m dash and five put up times ranked among the top 10 in the Ohio Valley Conference, showing off Tech's depth and strength in the event. Na'Asha Robinson's time of 23.70 set a new Tech program record and now stands at fastest in the OVC and tied for 48^th-best in the nation.

"We had another strong day of performances," said head coach Wayne Angel. "I was very pleased with our sprint group. Na'Asha, D'Airrien (Jackson), Lisa (Wickham), Ceirra (Tate) and Khemani (Roberts) all had personal bests. We will be loaded in that event at the OVC championships.

"Na'Asha tore up the track today in the 200 meters," said Angel. "She is rounding into championship shape. It was a nice school record."

For field events, Tech placed three in the high jump and one in the triple jump. Khemani Roberts led for the Golden Eagles in the high jump with a winning, school-record mark of 1.75m. It is also now tied for second-best in the OVC and 49^th-best in the country.

Raven Smith was Tech's lone participant in the triple jump, recording a distance of 11.64m that now stands at ninth-best in the conference.

"Our high jumpers were very consistent today," said Angel. "We are getting better each meet. Khemani had a breakthrough performance today, breaking her own school record in the high jump. I think that she has a 6-foot jump in her. Raven looked good in the triple jump today. We are taking it slowly with her. She will be ready by OVCs."

Freshman Purity Sanga ended the meet in the 5000m run. Her school-record time of 17:02.18 gave her a fourth-place finish in the event and a third-best OVC mark.

"Purity demonstrated youth and potential in the 5000 meters today," said Angel. "She broke the school record and could have ran even faster if she had managed her pace more effectively. Time and experience will take of that. The future is very bright for this little superstar.

UP NEXT

Tech will use this upcoming week to prepare for the OVC Indoor Championships, which will run from Friday, Feb. 23 to Saturday, Feb. 24 at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, Illinois.

"I can honestly say that I was very pleased with the team's effort this weekend," said Angel. "We will fine-tune some things, and in two weeks we will be prepared to do something special in Charleston at the OVC championships."

MEET INFO

PARTICIPATING TEAMS

Akron – ranked 7^th in Great Lakes Region

Albany – ranked 4^th in Northeast Region

Arkansas – ranked 1^st in USTFCCCA national rankings

Arkansas Baptist

Auburn – ranked 11^th in South Region

Baylor – ranked 16^th in USTFCCCA national rankings

Coffeyville CC

Colorado – ranked 3^rd in Mountain Region

Fairleigh Dickinson – ranked 20^th in Mid-Atlantic Region

Florida State – ranked 4^th in South Region