Records keep falling for teams at split meets

Lucas Aulbach

It was business as usual over the weekend for the WKU track and field teams, meaning school records fell, and the squads competed through inconsistent and unfavorable weather.

The teams were split up, with the majority of the team competing in a meet in Louisville, while the distance squad traveled to Vanderbilt.

While the weather in Vanderbilt was close to ideal for running, the teams struggled on and off in Louisville with rain and wind, with some events being canceled in the last hour as a result.

“In outdoor track, you have to deal with the weather,” Head Coach Erik Jenkins said. “That’s just the way the sport is.”

Freshman Antqunita Reed, who competed in Louisville, said the inconsistent weather made things difficult for the team.

“The meet went good, but it was hard to get going with the wind and rain coming and going,” she said.

The weather didn’t stop senior Laura Igaune from throwing, though, and she was able to once again break her own school and Latvian record in the hammer throw with a winning toss of 208 feet, 6 inches.

The Latvian transfer, who was able to qualify for second place in the event as well, has broken WKU and Latvian records in the hammer throw four times in five competitions this season.

“Laura has been working really hard in the weight room this season — more than she’s been able to in the past,” Jenkins said. “Any time you have someone that committed, these things will happen.”

The teams were met with better conditions in Vanderbilt.

“In terms of weather, I’d say it was one of the better meets we’ve run in this year,” Assistant Coach Michelle Scott said.

The distance runners found some success at the meet in Nashville. Senior Marion Kandie and junior Michelle Finn took first and second place, respectively, in the five-kilometer run.

Elsewhere, sophomore Brianne Porter ran a personal-best time of 11:31.98 in the steeplechase, taking third in the event.

Jenkins, who was in Louisville, said he was pleased with the results that came from the distance squad.

“I’m very excited about Michelle and all of them running well at Vanderbilt,” he said.

The teams will be split up once again next weekend in one of the last meets of the outdoor regular season.

Most of the team will go to the Drake Relays in Iowa to compete in one of the largest outdoor track meets in the country, while the distance squad will be in competition at Butler University in Indianapolis.

Jenkins said it’s important for the teams to hit their stride to finish the year.

“You always want to start to close out the season on a good note,” he said.