Blue Raiders Show Out Against Pros at Bulldog Open

Photo by: Emily Cole/MT Athletic Communications

2/12/2022 7:52:00 PM | Men's Cross Country and Track & Field, Women's Cross Country and Track & Field, Track & Field/Cross Country

By: Braydin Sik, MT Athletic Communications

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Middle Tennessee track and field team placed 10 in the top-five Saturday, making the total 23 over the weekend in Birmingham.

Field Events
Lyn'Nikka Vance took first in women's long jump for the second time this season, hitting 5.82 meters in her fifth attempt. A day after taking first in high jump, Esther Isa took her talents to triple jump on day two of the Bulldog Invitational, etching a mark of 12.17 meters in the sandpit.

Track Events
Sweeping first place in the prelims, semifinals, and finals for the 60-meter dash was Alaba Akintola. Akintola's top time of the day was 6.71 seconds, which he reached in both the semifinals and finals. Akintola also led the way in the men's 200-meter dash with a Samford Open record and personal best time of 21.11. Akintola's time would be good enough for first in Conference USA beating the current leader's time of 21.29 seconds.

The men's 800-meter dash involved the Blue Raiders taking first, second, and third place. Leading the way were Brian Rono, Habtamu Geta, and Carmelo Cannizzaro with times of 1:53.79, 1:53.82, and 1:54.26 respectively. All three times would be in the top eight of Conference USA heading into the weekend.

A day after setting her personal best in the 800-meter dash, Eusila Chepkemei set a Samford Open record in the women's one mile with a time of 4:49.47. Chepkemei's new time would be a Conference USA best heading into the weekend, possibly moving her up from second to first after the weekend results are in.

Stephen Eloji led the field during the 60-meter hurdles through the first two rounds but came up short in the final. Eloji's final time came in at 8.09 seconds, good enough for second place. His personal best time of 8.04 seconds in the semis would be good enough for fourth in C-USA heading into the weekend.

Vincent Yegon took third in the men's mile with a time of 4:12.72. Yegon's time of 4:12.72 is his season-best and is 15^th best in the conference currently.

What's Next?
Conference USA Indoor Track and Field Championships start Saturday, February 19, and wrap up on Sunday, February 20.

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