The men and women’s track team took full advantage of running at home, taking 13 first place finishes on Saturday at the UCA Open at the Bill Stephens Track Complex.
The team combined to break four school records, three from the women and one from the men.
Track coach Richard Martin said he was pleased with the meet and how well everyone competed.
Sophomore Erika Setzler set a school record in the 10,000 meters, finishing with a time of 39:41.46. Freshman Stephanie Simpson set a school record in the 5,000 meters with a finishing time of 18:21.57.
Sophomore Tanesha Maxwell set the school record in her 200 meters victory with a time of 24.44, and also won the 100 meters with a time of 11.87.
Junior Jasmine Ellis also won two events, the 100 meter hurdles and the javelin throw.
The women took the top 5 spots in the 100 hurdles. Ellis was followed by junior Megan Snow, sophomore Anilah Bashir, freshman Jean Black and freshman Jatoi Snell.
The women also took the top 3 spots in the 400 meter hurdles. Black won the event with a time of 1:03.68 and was followed by Snell and Bashir.
On the men’s side, sophomore Amos Gerber set a school record in the 5,000 meters with a time of 14:48.18.
The other men’s winners were senior Demarcus Harrison in the 110 meter hurdles, senior Bobby Washington in the high jump and senior Jaron Criswell in the long jump.
Assistant coach Beau Theriot said everything went well, but he expected more from some areas of the team.
“You can’t really complain though with 13 firsts,” Theriot said. “We were happy overall with the performance.”
Theriot said the men’s 4×400 relay team, which finished second, was just a little short of expectations.
“They can post a better time, but we’ll work on it and get it better,” Theriot said.
The Arkansas State meet is the final preparation for the track team before the Southland Conference Outdoor Championships.
The action starts at 8 a.m. this Saturday in Jonesboro.
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