COLUMBIA, S.C. – A new school record by
Marissa Blakely and event wins by
Javell Brown and
Ryan Eldridge highlighted Friday competition for Western Carolina at the South Carolina Invitational held inside the Carolina Indoor Track & Field Complex.
Blakely ran the fastest women's 300-meter dash time in program history with a time of 40.02, eclipsing the previous school record held by Tayla Carter of 40.17 set in 2012. Blakely earned a third-place result in the race. Her previous personal best was 40.30 at the Clemson Opener in December.
Mikayla Turner finished in eighth place with a time of 42.02.
Derica Currie recorded a personal-best mark of 11.36 meters (37'3.25") to finish in fifth place in the women's triple jump. Her previous indoor personal best was 11.19 meters (36'8.5").
Carter Unger finished in fifth place in the women's pole vault as she cleared a height of 3.40 meters (11'1.75").
Javell Brown earned his second win in as many weeks in the men's triple jump with a personal best leap of 14.63 meters (48'0"). Two weeks ago at the Mondo Invitational, he won the event with a top mark of 14.54 meters (47'8.5").
Javon Brown's personal best mark of 14.58 meters (47'10") earned him a third-place finish.
On his second attempt, Eldridge recorded a personal best throw of 16.30 meters (53'5.75"), smashing his previous indoor personal best throw of 15.34 meters at the ETSU Invitational last January which was the winning throw at that meet. Eldridge, who is the reigning Southern Conference outdoor shotput champion, owns the top mark in the league this season and ranks third in school history in the event after Friday's throw.
Adam Hart finished in fifth place in the men's weight throw with a top distance of 15.57 meters (51'1").
David Miles placed ninth in the men's 300-meter dash, completing the race with a time of 34.40.
The meet continues Saturday beginning at 9:30 a.m. with the men's and women's 3,000-meter racewalk.
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