The Buccaneer Men’s and Women’s Track and Field teams performed double duty this past weekend in the Kroger Invitational at Virginia Tech and at the University of North Carolina-Asheville.
In the Kroger Invitational, both squads came up with impressive performances as several athletes recorded personal records, referred to as PRs in the track and field community.
“It was a very competitive meet,” Track and Field Coach Matt High said. “There were 33 teams. Most of the ACC (Atlantic Coast Conference) teams were there, some SEC (Southeastern Conference), and Big 10 and Big 12 schools were also there.”
The Bucs got indoor PR performances from senior Evan Hawkins in the 200-meter dash with a time of 22.16 seconds. They also received a PR from freshman David Cabbler in the triple jump with a jump of 46 feet, 3.25 inch.
The Lady Bucs received solid performances from juniors Roseline Addo and Jennifer Howard in the 800-meter run and 200-meter dash, respectively. Both were competing outside of their specialty, the 400-meter dash.
Addo finished the 800-meter run in 2 minutes and 15 seconds for an eleventh place finish, a race in which the top three finishers provisionally qualified for the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships.
Howard also ran a superb race in the 200 with a time of 25.60.
High has been particularly pleased with how Hawkins and Addo have performed thus far this season and believes both have a good shot at making the NCAA Championships in their specialty: the 400-meter dash.
The Bucs were also in action at the University of North Carolina-Asheville, where the goal of each athlete was to compete to the best of their abilities and finish as high in each event as possible.
“A meet like that, you go out and compete, trying to win, rather than go off of time,” High said. “The Virginia Tech meet was the opposite where you go for fast times.”
The Bucs received first place finishes from freshman Jamaal Saunders in the mile run and second place finishes from juniors Josh Artau in the shot put and Greg Sprowl in the 3000-meters.
The Lady Bucs also received victories at UNC Asheville from senior Emily Campbell in the 3000 meter run, junior Lauren Campbell in the 800-meter run and freshman Cheryl Howard in the high jump.
High still believes some members of the team have to step up but is pleased with the efforts of the team so far this season.
“A lot of people need to step up,” he said. “Some need to start competing, we’re a good team, but some people need to work a little harder.”
Both teams will be back in action for the Pepsi/Walker ETSU Track and Field Invitational in the Memorial Center, Friday and Saturday.

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