Huntingdon track and field opens outdoor season against stiff competition

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Huntingdon women's track and field team got to test itself against Division I, Division II and NAIA competition this weekend in the University of North Florida Invitational.

This was the fifth meet overall and the first outdoor meet for the first-year Huntingdon program.

Competing in her first meet for Huntingdon, freshman Patricia Pickens turned in the Lady Hawks' top performance in the track events. Pickens finished 27th in the 100 meters with a time of 12.80 seconds. Teammate Kyndall Caldwell was just behind Pickens at 28th, with a time of 12.81. Florida State's Bianca Smith won the 100 meters with a time of 11.90.

In the field events, freshman Sara Beasley had Huntingdon's only top-20 finish. Beasley was 17th in the javelin with a distance of 30.52 meters. Huntingdon's Brianna McClure was 23rd. Florida State's Chelsea Whalen won the javelin with a distance of 46.93 meters.

Kim Allen (32nd) and Beasley (34th) led Huntingdon in the discus. Michigan's Allison Liske won the event. Allen also led the Lady Hawks in the shot put, finishing 29th. Teammate Abby Carter was 30th. Michigan's Liske was first.

Huntingdon's Miah Burton was 29th in the long jump and Bianca Scott was 32nd. Kennesaw State's Lashanna Barchue won the long jump.

McClure finished 38th for Huntingdon in the 100-meter hurdles. Michigan's Amber Smith was first.

Sheaney Marshall led Huntingdon in the 200 meters and finished 54th. Burton was 59th. Jacksonville University's Courtney Walker won the 200 meters. Marshall also finished 43rd in the 400 meters. Florida State's Elizabeth Ichite won the 400 meters.

In the 1,500 meters, Huntingdon's Rachael Phillips was 46th. South Florida's Yasmin Smith was first in the 1,500 meters.

Huntingdon travels to Birmingham on March 9-10 for the Southern Invitational.