Track continues strong start to outdoor season

Troy’s track and field team continued its strong start to the outdoor season with an exciting performance at the Southern Miss Invitational. In the event, the Trojans had a total of 24 top-five finishes.

Two Trojans took home first place in their respective events – Aaliyah Murphy won the 400m hurdles and Joy Edward topped the women’s shot put.

Murphy clocked a season-best time of 1:02.24. The freshman continued her excellent season, winning the 400m hurdles for the second time during outdoor season.

Edward’s throw of 14.46m sealed her fifth top-three shot put finish this season and her second win.

Troy had strong finishes on the men’s side of shot put, too. Altwayne Bedward finished the event in second place, with his 17.93m throw being the seasons longest. Freshman Darius Sylvester finished fourth place with a 15.51m throw.

In the hammer throw, Morgan Reese launched a 55.23m throw to place second on the men’s side. Two Trojan women finished top five in the hammer throw, as Abby Grosinske took third place and Edward slotted in at fifth.

Jordan Bailey placed third in the women’s triple jump, with an 11.99m leap giving her the podium. Whitney Clark fired the javelin 38.53m to finish fifth in the women’s javelin throw.

On the track side, the Trojans had strong performances as well. Keith Warner finished second in the men’s 3000m run, timing in at 8:35.80. Right behind him in fourth place was teammate Lane Watson, who finished with a time of 9:00.14.

Abigail Carr finished third in the women’s 3000m, crossing the finish line with a time of 11:06.90. Freshman Haley Wilson secured a top-five finish in the 400m dash, taking fourth place with a time of 57.05.

The Trojans look to continue their strong beginning to the outdoor season at the Crimson Tide Classic on Apr. 11 and 12. The Trojans travel to Tuscaloosa, Alabama, to take on SEC competition.