Troy University Athletics
Coach O Invitational Saturday in Troy
4/19/2010 11:00:00 PM | Track & Field
TROY, Ala. - The Troy University track and field program hosts the annual Coach O Invitational on Saturday at the Jesse H. Colley Track/Soccer Complex, an event named after a former Trojan All-American Charles Oliver.
Over recent memory, many records have fallen including those in the men's hurdles (Leander McKenzie) and the women's long jump (Agata Cichoszewska) last season. Former Trojan O'Darien Bassett also recorded one of the longest jumps in Sun Belt Conference history at the meet two years ago, finishing with a distance of 7.90 meters.
This season, many Trojans have challenged the record books with senior Tiphanie Baker rewriting the history in the hammer this past Saturday in Auburn. The senior broke her own school record, and will compete for the second consecutive year at the meet. She will be competing along with her senior classmates in their last home meet of their careers.
"We are expecting some great competition," Troy assistant coach Chip Brundage said. "Our young squad of Trojans are excited to run at home this weekend. We, as coaches, are excited for our home team to show their talents to our Trojan Community on Saturday. We are encouraging everyone to come out and watch their classmates and fellow Trojans compete. There will be many exciting races and events this year at our Annual Coach O meet.
"There will be many school and meet records contested this weekend. Our seniors will be representing the school for the last time, amd we are proud of the tradition they have passed on to our younger athletes. Their leadership has show by already helping many of our freshman Qualify for the USA JUNIOR Olympics in June, at this point we have six freshman in nine events going to represent our Trojan Nation."
Those student-athletes who have all ready qualified for the USA Junior Olympics include Cody Bahrke (hammer), Matt Braswell (javelin), Lizzie Clough (javelin), Ja-Courteny Alexander (100-meters, 200-meters and 400-meters), Neko Freeman (100-meters and 200-meters) and Brynn Forsythe (hammer).
Those individuals, along with seniors will see a full field on Saturday with teams from all over the Southeast participating in the meet. Teams that are scheduled to come to the Coach O this season, include Alabama A&M, Alabama-Huntsville, Alabama State, Albany State, Auburn, Morehouse, Birmingham Southern, Chattahoochee Technical College, Clayton State, Florida A&M, Huntingdon, Jacksonville State, South Alabama, Stillman and UAB.We want to thank Coach O for all he does," Brundage said. "Not only what he does for our program, but for the support he shows our University."
For information on the meet, make sure to click on the link above.
