MILL SPRINGS, N.C. – Anderson University Women's Track and Field returned from the holiday break when they competed at the Tryon Winter Classic in Mill Spring N.C. on Friday and Saturday.
 
The event featured a strong field of collegiate track and field athletes competing over two days. Fellow SAC opponent Mars Hill was among the competition present.
 
"For the first meet back from winter break, I thought we performed fairly well." said the Director of Cross Country/Track & Field, Kevin Eagle. "The first meet back is always treated as a gauge to see where the athletes are in my eyes. Most are right where we need them to be. Now we shift our focus on improving each day at practice and get better at the little things that matter."
 
On the track, junior Kennedy Roush (Greer, S.C.) crossed the line for the women's mile with a personal record time of 5:02.64 for a first-place finish. Senior Emma Whitaker (Inman, S.C.) also notched a first-place finish in the 800 with a time of 2:19.79. In the women's 3k, sophomore Natalie States (Greensboro, N.C.) finished fourth in a field of 24 with a personal best time of 10:28.55. Sophomore Colette Dismukes (York, S.C.) notched a new personal best in the 200m, crossing the finish line at 26.88.
 
In the field events, freshman Grace Zelenka (Jacksonville, recorded her first PR of the season in shot put with a distance of 8.15m and a great performance in the weight throw. Senior Georgia Piper (Dacula, Ga.)  jumped 5.0m in the long jump for yet another AU personal record. Sophomore Avery Marshall (York, S.C) tied for second in the pole vault after clearing the 3.45 bar.
 
"This was a good starting point for us coming off of Christmas break." said head coach Caleb Stephenson. We shook off some winter break rust and saw flashes of what we're capable of. Some PRs and good performance but still a long way to go."
 
The full Trojan team will be back in competition next weekend for a two-day meet at the Orange and Purple Invitational in Clemson, S.C.