The Lady Charger track team had a long layoff since the season opener back in late February. However, the break seemed to give the team a boost.
Seven different UAH records fell at the Auburn Springtime Invitational over the weekend. Women's basketball transplant LaDasha Thompkins had an incredible meet. She set school records in the high jump and triple jump. She also ran the second best 400 meter dash time of 60.67, just shy of Melinda Phillips' all-time best mark of 60.54. It was the first time Thompkins had ever run in the event.
Freshman sprinter LaMardra Moore set a new UAH record in the 100 meter dash, finishing with a time of 13.48. Easter Grant broke the 200 meter record (26.56) and Lesley Davis rolled past the old 800 meter mark, finishing with a time of 2:20.06.
In the field events, Holly Coggins rewrote the UAH records for the shot put (10.19m) and discus (32.98m).
The entire Lady Charger team used the Auburn Invitational as a launching pad, setting several personal bests. A prime example was in the 3000 meter run. Six UAH competitors took the track and all six set personal records.
"We returned from Auburn a much improved team," said coach David Cain. "I am pleased with the team's work ethic and desire to improve in each event. I am looking forward to seeing where this team will be at the end of the season."
Cain thinks that several Lady Chargers will have a shot at following in Aytree Blalock's footsteps and qualifying for the Division II national championships later this spring.
Complete UAH results
3,000 meter - Amy Phillips - 6th (10:44.18)
Natalie Fahey - 9th (10:48.54)
Candace Chambers - 10th (10:48.87)
Rachel Robinson - 18th (11:26.16)
Courtney Hurst - 23rd (11:40.63)
Jessica Walters - 28th (12:05.03)
5,000 meter - Aytree Blalock - 8th (20:16.83)
Brooke McDaniel - 9th (20:26.59)
200 meter - Easter Grant - 24th (26.56)
LaMardra Moore - 29th (28.81)
100 meter - LaMardra Moore - 17th (13.48)
400 meter - LaDasha Thompkins - 18th (1:00.67)
Melinda Phillips - 19th (1:01.83)
Easter Grant - 20th (1:01.88)
800 meter - Lesley Davis - 11th (2:20.06)
1500 meter - Natalie Fahey - 14th (5:03.15)
High Jump - LaDasha Thompkins - 5th - 1.60m (5-03.00)
Lauren Bussey - 10th - 1.55m (5-01.00)
Lindsay Dunham - 13th - 1.50m (4-11.00)
Long Jump - LaMardra Moore - 16th - 4.82m (15-09.75)
Triple Jump - LaDasha Thompkins - 13th - 10.68m (35-00.50)
Lauren Bussey - 15th - 10.31m (33-10.00)
Lindsay Dunham - 19th - 9.54m (31-03.75)
Shot Put - Holly Coggins - 11th - 10.19m (33-05.25)
Discus Throw - Holly Coggins - 13th - 32.98m (108-02.00)
Next Meet: Big Cat Classic, Memphis, TN, March 30th
