Stephen F. Austin
Skecher's Carl Kight Invitational
'Jacks Win Three Events to Open Home Meet
4/4/2014 12:00:00 AM | Track & Field
April 4, 2014
NACOGDOCHES, Texas – Stephen F. Austin track and field closed the first day of its home meet with three victories on Friday night as the Lumberjacks and Ladyjacks both posted some of their best marks of the season so far.
Jamal Peden won the men’s long jump at the Skechers Carl Kight Invitational with his jump of 7.56 meters (24-9.75) to continue his strong campaign outdoors. Teammate Trey Darty leapt to a new personal record with a mark of 7.42 meters (24-4.25). His mark now moves him into a tie for 20th in the NCAA this season.
The Ladyjacks also won the women’s long jump with Kirsten Knox dominating the field by nearly a foot. Knox jumped 5.80 meters (19-00.50) for the victory and to earn 10 points toward the team scoring at the Kight Invitational. It was her top mark of the season.
Colton Ross won the men’s pole vault, clearing his opening height of 5.16 meters (16-11.00). He struggled initially, missing his first two attempts but then clearing with ease on his third. Ross was joined among the leaders by freshman Daven Murphree. The newcomer cleared 5.06 meters (16-7.75) to finish third in his outdoor debut.
SFA also ran well on Friday night during the distance carnival as Laurie Byrd and Katrina Fite finished second and third in the women’s steeplechase. Byrd ran 10:56.07, not far off her PR pace. Fite had a great outing, shaving more than 11 seconds off her previous best with a time of 10:59.37.
In the men’s 3,000 meter steeplechase, both Cody Brown and Ervin Mooney posted PR’s finishing third and eighth, respectively. Brown crossed in 9:23.97, and Mooney finished in 9:38.50. Mooney improved his time by more than 20 seconds.
Shelby Pesek closed the night well for the Ladyjacks with a sixth-place finish in the 5,000 meters. She ran to a new personal best time as well, improving by more than a minute from her best time last season. She crossed the line in 17:38.09.
Also performing well for the Lumberjacks in the pole vault was combined events specialist Christian Bean. He posted a new personal best as well with a clearance of 4.61 meters (15-1.50). It was the second meet in a row that he posted a PR in the pole vault.
Action will resume at the Skechers Carl Kight Invitational at 9 a.m. Saturday with field events going throughout the day and running events slated to start at 3 p.m. A total of 18 teams are competing at this year’s meet with points awarded to the top 10 finishers in each event but Section B of the long jump.
Fans can follow the action online with a live steam of the meet available on YouTube.com/sfaallaccess.
