The Tennessee Tech track team will be hosting the first Tennessee Tech Invitational in recent memory this Saturday. Five schools from across the nation will travel to Cookeville to compete at Tucker Stadium. With each meet this season Tech has steadily improved, shattering school records and making history. Junior Ashley Mayhew said, “I believe we will have the best season in Tech’s history.”
In their last meet, she placed fifth in the hammer throw and added four points to Tech’s total. This season is quickly proving to be one of the best in Tech’s history.
Sophomore Emily Weinzetl said, “We’ve had a lot of records broken this season already. I think as a team we’re looking to break those newly set records, as well as shatter old ones.”
Tech has broken five school records so far this season with threats of shattering several more. Leayn Carter, Ashley Mayhew, Rachel Forbes, Katie Lowery and Megan Lyons all set school records in their personal events. While Tech’s quartet of Allison Price, Emily Weinzetl, Danielle Catlett and Leayn Carter blazed the 4×400 relay record by nearly seven seconds.
The ladies have been practicing since August.
“We have been training really hard, just conditioning and practicing on technique,” Mayhew said.
The team is ready for whatever the weather may bring; the ladies practice rain, or snow.
“Weather does play a major part in performance, but everyone has to compete in the same weather at the big meet, so I think it keeps all things equal,” Mayhew said.
The ladies are all pumped about the hosting of the Invitational. Their peers will actually have the opportunity to come and support them.
“I think us hosting the OVC meet this year means everything for our sport. It’s going to get us noticed on campus. Hopefully we get more attention from the athletic department as well,” Weinzetl said.
Tech will be hosting Kentucky State, Tennessee State, Alabama A&M, and Carson-Newman College this Saturday. This is the first time since the 1970’s that Tech has hosted an invitational. Tech is approaching the invitational as preparation for Tech the Ohio Valley Conference Championship which Tech will host later this spring.
The ladies expect your support with a full track the heat is on.
“I am so excited about this. We have waited a long time to get a full track. I just hope we get a lot of fans and support during the home meets,” Mayhew said.
The meet is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. and admission is free to the public.
