WKU Track and Field split up for the Mt. SAC Relays and Austin Peay Invitational last weekend, and returned with two first place titles and several other top-five finishes.

The first place finishes came from Morgan McIntyre in the pole vault, as she continued her outstanding season, and Khadijah Valentine in the 100-meter dash.

The women’s 4×100 meter team had an impressive outing at Austin Peay, finishing second with a time of 46.38 seconds. Desmond Mobley also tallied a second place finish, recording a 2.08 meter jump in the high jump.

Julius Morris also had a great day back in California, as he ran a 10.32 in the 100 meter dash, which was good for third place.

“Julius [Morris] did a great job of staying composed in a very solid field,” head coach Erik Jenkins said. “The race was called back three times due to false starts, however he ran 10.55 in the first race and came back in a rerun to post a season-best time of 10.32 15 minutes later.”

Jonathan Hayden had a great performance in the 110 meter hurdles, running a time of 14.22 to finish third.

Ariel Terrell recorded a third place finish as well, running a 12.12 in the 100 meter dash. She also finished 10th in the 200 meter, running a time of 25.19. Sandra Akachukwu finished fourth in long jump with a distance of 5.40 meter.

Kaila Smith ran a great 800 meter, finishing in 2:19.54, which was good enough for fifth place. Alexa Brainard and Catika Slay also ran in the 800 meter, placing 15th and 33rd, respectively.

Smith and Slay ran highly-competitive 100 meter hurdles, as Slay finished sixth with a time of 14.83, which was just behind Smith, who ran a 14.20.

Jenessa Jackson just keeps getting better this year, as she finished sixth in the shot put with a throw of 14.77 meter, and ninth in the discus with a throw of 44.43 meters. Those were both season-bests for her.

The men’s relay team had another good meet at Mt. SAC, as the A-Team finished seventh in the 4×100 meter with a time of 39.19, and the B-Team finished with a time of 42.07, finishing 14th.

“The relays had a good showing against some of the nation’s best relay teams,” said Jenkins. “We expect to get better in both the 4×100 meter and 4×400 meter, though. Mt. SAC consistently provides a quality environment to learn from against the world’s best.”

One of the most crucial members of the 4×100 team, Ventavius Sears, had success in other events as well, as he ran a 21.03 200 meter dash, finishing seventh.

WKU will be splitting up their athletes again this weekend, sending competitors to Georgia Tech and War Eagle Invitationals on April 21 and 22. 

Reporter Jeremy Chisenhall can be reached at 859-760-0198 and [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter at @JSChisenhall.