Cullowhee, N.C. -- Western Carolina track and field put on a show in its home facility as the Catamounts rolled to record 12 top-five finishes during day one of the Catamount Classic presented by The Everson at the Catamount Athletics Complex. WCU's top performances were highlighted by an event win by freshman Heidi Hudson in the women's long jump.
Hudson picked up the best finish of the day for the Catamounts as the rookie jumper continued her run of recent success, even though she competed in the long jump as opposed to the high jump. Hudson was the only athlete on the day to surpass the 5.65-meter mark as her leap of 5.79m stood a solid 0.16m further than second-place Madeline McNinch of Wofford with a distance of 5.63m.
The Catamounts also picked up a pair of second-place finishes on the day as Jalen Elwell and Jackson Livingston took second in the men's 1,500-meter run and the javelin throw respectively. Elwell was one of four Catamounts to hit a personal record in the event while Livingston's throw of 57.08m was one of only two to go further than 51 meters on the day.
WCU also took a quartet of bronze finishes on Friday as Teddy Ayden, Austin Ramirez, Katherine Hopkins, and Jennifer Wagner all took third place in their respective events. Ayden and Hopkins both blazed trails on the track in the 200m and the 1,500m while Wagner and Ramirez took their placements in the women's pole vault and the men's hammer throw.
The Catamounts return to action at the Catamount Athletic Complex at Noon on Saturday for the final day of the Catamount Classic. WCU will honor its seniors ina special pre-meet on-track ceremony that begins at 11:30 a.m.
Notable Placements
Heidi Hudson 1st – Long Jump
Jalen Elwell 2nd – 1500m
Jackson Livingston 2nd – Javelin
Teddy Ayden 3rd – 200m
Katherine Hopkins 3rd – 1500m
Jennifer Wagner 3rd – Pole Vault
Austin Ramirez 3rd – hammer throw
Quinton Godfrey 4th – 200m
Drew Zink 4th – 5000m
Jacob Thomas 4th – Hammer Throw
Dominick Dale 4th – Javelin
Sydney Gallant 5th – Pole Vault
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