BOSTON/BIRMINGHAM, Ala. /NASHVILLE, Tenn. (2/7/24) – Cheyenne Melvin broke her own school record in the women’s 800 meters on Friday morning to highlight a strong first day for the Arkansas State track and field teams across a trio of meets.

Melvin ran a time of 2:07.90 at the David Hemery Valentine Invitational in Boston, placing 39^th among several other standout distance athletes.

Cadence Lapp also recorded a top-10 performance, moving up to eighth in school history in the 3000 meters with a time of 9:50.78 to place eighth. Elizabeth Martin ran 9:58.62 while Mary Beth Bailey clocked a career-best time of 9:59.41 and Olivia Walter finished in 10:06.94.

In the mile, Rahel Broemmel crossed the finish in 4:45.89.

At the Samford Invitational in Birmingham, Bradley Jelmert won his fifth consecutive pole vault even with a height of 5.65m (18-6.5). Trace South placed fourth with a season-best mark of 4.87m (15-11.75) and John Carswell matched his collegiate-best clearance of 4.57m (15-0.0) to place sixth.

In the women’s pole vault, Bella Coscetti placed second with a mark of 3.77m (12-4.5), a height also cleared by Avery Shell – her season best in a fourth-place result. Kaci Andrus finished in fifth, clearing 3.67m (12-0.5)

Miranda Burgett leaped a career-best 5.45m (17-10.75) in a third-place long jump finish, ahead of Izzy Daines’ 10^th-place mark of 5.13m (16-10).

Burgett later placed third in the high jump with a clearance of 1.65m (5-5.0), ahead of Kaci Andrus (1.60m/5-3.0) in fifth.

Alden Wetzel placed 18^th in the men’s shot put with a toss of 11.92m (39-1.25).

At the Music City Challenge, Abbey Coberly ran a personal-best 5:05.85 in the women’s mile, ahead of Anna Hunter (95^th – 5:10.55) and Maggie Hunter (111^th – 5:25.34). In the men’s race, Ryan Parson and Benny Brenneman finished in 4:18.89 (80^th) and 4:26.17 (86^th), respectively.

Spencer Taylor recorded a collegiate-best 21.77 in the 200 meters, placing 13^th, with Mehki Hoo finishing 46^th in 23.04.

In the men’s weight throw, Noa Isaia (17.74m/58-2.5) and Chris Boyd (15.62m/51-3) placed seventh and 16^th. In the invite section of the women’s event, Michelle Ogbemudia placed ninth with a mark of 18.69m (61-4), while Nyaluet Diew recorded a throw of 15.87m (52-0.75) in the open section.

Liya Guy placed 14^th in the women’s shot put with a throw of 10.69m (35-1).

Matthew Williams jumped 6.61m (21-8.25) to place 16^th in the long jump.

The day ended with the men’s 5000 meters, as Matthew Dunsworth finished 55^th with a time of 15:31.86 while Zeke McCain clocked a personal-best 15:39.25 to place 57^th.

NEXT UP

The Red Wolves return to action in Boston and Nashville Saturday to conclude the teams’ regular season.

SOCIAL MEDIA

For the latest on the A-State track and field and cross country programs, follow @AStateTrack on Twitter and @AStateTFXC on Instagram, while also liking the team’s Facebook page at Facebook.com/AStateTrackAndField.