MONTGOMERY—Alabama State University's track and field teams had a very successful indoor season, and are presently in the midst of another outstanding outdoor season.
The relay teams have been especially impressive as they have recorded some of the best times in the nation in several relay events.
The Lady Hornets have recorded a time of 1:36.86 in the 4 x 200 meter relay event. That time was recorded at the TSU Relays on March 18
th, and is the second best time in the nation. The best time was set by the University of Southern California (USC) at the Northridge Invitational on March 12
th. USC's time in the event was 1:34.54. The relay members are
Latrice Lee,
Tia Rolle,
Jamie Brooks and
Tokeyah Jones.
ASU's 4 x 800 meter relay team has a team-best time of 9:14.19, also set at the TSU Relays. That time is the third best time submitted this season and trails only Lipscomb University (8:55.20) and the University of South Carolina (8:56.61). That relay team is made up of
Lutrisha Altidor,
Breana Kelly,
Kesia Derilus and
Soyong Smith.
The 1,600 meter sprint relay team has posted a season-best 4:05.52 time, also at the TSU Relays. That time is the third best posted time in the nation, trailing Princeton University (4:04.42) and SWAC-rival Grambling (4:05.71). Those relay team members are Jones, Rolle, Lee and Derilus.
Head coach
Ritchie Beene has been pleased by both teams overall performances and is especially happy with the relay team times.
“They have run well, but they still have a lot to do to get better by the time we go to the Texas Relays,” Beene said. “We are going to take this week to work on getting better, because when we are off and other teams are running they will be posting better times.”
“I always thought the relay teams had these types of times in them,” Beene added. “But to do it this early in the season is what has surprised me. The challenge now is how hard we are willing to work to get better, because we are going to face some of the best runners in the nation in Texas in two weeks.”
The Texas Relays will be on April 8-9 in Austin, Texas, and will be hosted by the University of Texas.
-HORNETS-