Trojans Look to Build Momentum for FSU Relays

Meet Notes | Live Results/Meet Information

TROY, Ala. – The Troy University track and field program will look to build off their successes at the season-opening meet last weekend, as they gear up for the Morehouse Relays and Combined Events in Atlanta this weekend.

The meet begins in earnest on Thursday morning with the heptathlon in which the Trojans will send freshman Adria Hill into action. The freshman from Scottsboro will compete in hurdles, high jump, shot put and 200 meters on Thursday; before returning to action on Friday in the long jump, javelin and 800 meters.

“Two athletes will compete in their final tune ups for the combined events meet next week,” Troy University Director of Track and Field Jill Lancaster said. “Both Grant Bullington and Veronica Bryant will compete in events geared for next weekend. Meanwhile, Adria Hill will be the lone competitor kicking off the heptathlon competing at Morehouse.”

The remainder of the team will head to Atlanta on Friday, gearing up for the competition on Saturday. The meet will start at 9 am (EST) on Saturday with a multitude of events including the women's hammer.
The focus on this week's meet is to train and get ready for next week's FSU Relays – one of the toughest early meets in the country.

“Once again the program finds itself looking to the long throws to lead the weekend with one difference,” Lancaster said. “The trio of javelin men will train through in prep for FSU weekend.

“On the track the veteran conference performers will start to move towards their strengths in prep for the FSU Relays. For the men, they will look to three relays to get quality racing under their belt; while the women look to compete in open events lead by Ja-Courtney Alexander and follow with a 4x400.”

The Trojans will send Brynn Forsythe, Nicole Studstill and Karen Wyatt out for the first field event on Saturday. Forsythe will look to repeat as a back-to-back champion in the event, winning last week at the Southern Invitational; while Studstill finished third and Wyatt second in the event.

While that trio is throwing, there will be several running events kicking off the meet. Several Trojans will be competing in the events, with a lot of the younger athletes getting looks from the coaching staff.

“The younger athletes will look to build on what they accomplished last week to move themselves up in the standings,” Lancaster said. “They will be several athletes training through in preparation for the aggressive season that lies ahead.”

Junior Martins Pildavs broke the school's javelin record on his first collegiate attempt Saturday. The junior college national champion from a year ago, shattered the old mark when he come up with a throw of 73.32 meters – beating the mark of teammate Matt Braswell, who set the mark at the Coach 'O' Invitational last season.

Not only did it set a new school record for the Trojans, but it also was a new personal best for Pildavs by almost two meters. It currently has the junior atop the NCAA ranking list after one week of outdoor competition.

Pildavs will not be competing in the javelin this weekend, instead he will compete in the discus on Saturday afternoon at 2:15 pm, along with teammate Eddy Lynn.

In the distance running the younger runners are being looked to shine through as others rest for FSU. Kendall Harris and Landry Key are expected to make a good showing this week.

“After a successful season opener at Birmingham Southern, with performances heightening expectations for this year,” assistant coach Stephane Hetherington said. “Many of those who are looking to perform well the following week at Florida State will be resting through Morehouse.

"Others, such as newcomers Kendall Harris and Landry Key will be looking to make their mark and demonstrate that they are prepared to compete at the next level of competition. We will be running distances from 800m to 10,000m along with the 4 x 400m relay. “

The Morehouse Relays will last through Saturday with the Trojans competing each day of the meet.

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Trojans Look to Build Momentum for FSU Relays

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