Track and Field Prepares for KSM Invitational

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama – The Troy men's and women's track teams are slated to return to the CrossPlex in Birmingham for the KSM Invitational on Sunday. The day will start at 11 a.m. with several field events and races scheduled to begin concurrently.

"Since we only sent the women's team to the Emory Invitational last weekend, the men had an opportunity to benefit from some extra rest and time to fine-tune the more technical aspects of their events," head coach Marc Davis said. "Some of the men already opened their indoor season with solid performances, so we'll be looking for more people to step it up and start hitting their stride."

In the men's sprints, redshirt senior Chaun Lynn will make his season debut this year in the 400-meter dash and will also be a candidate to race in the 4x400-meter relay. Lynn's 47.80-second personal best over 400 meters is the fastest on the team, followed by junior Cameron Rice, who has covered the distance in 48.11 seconds. Rice is entered in the 200-meter dash and will also likely contribute a leg to the 4x400-meter relay.

In the short sprints, senior captain and school record-holder Benjamin Martin will race the 200-meter dash along with freshman Hakim Montgomery, who is also entered in the 60-meter dash. In the season opener, Martin and Montgomery both qualified for the 60-meter dash finals in 6.81- and 6.83-second personal bests, respectively. Sophomore Garrison Floyd, who narrowly missed qualifying for 60-meter hurdle finals in the season opener, will compete again in that event as well as the long jump.

Led by freshman Indiya Summerville's victory in the shot put, the women's throwers earned half of the points that Troy collected to take third among Division I teams at last weekend's Emory Invitational. Sophomore Jaevyn Wortham took third in the shot put, then returned to take second overall in the women's weight throw while third place went to junior Allison Taylor.

Freshman Michael Alvernaz will also return to competition this weekend after winning the men's weight throw at the Blazer Invitational, while his classmate, Caleb Brown, earned third with a 15.98-meter (52'5.25") mark. In the men's shot put, junior Zach Douglas took second. All three will compete in their marquee events on Sunday.

After making their debut in cardinal and white last weekend, the Trojans' trio of freshmen middle-distance runners – Tyson Robinson, John Webb and Courtland White – have been entered in Sunday's 600-meter run. Freshmen Gemma Finch will also compete in the event after winning the 800-meter run during her first pentathlon as a Trojan last week.

Next weekend, the Trojan men and women will travel to the CrossPlex again for the Jaguar Invitational hosted by the South Alabama on Sunday, Feb. 7.
Fans can keep up with the action by following Troy track and field and cross country on Twitter @TroyTrojanXC_TF and Instagram @TroyTrojansTFXC.

For more information on Troy Athletics, fans can find the Trojans on Twitter and Instagram @TroyAthletics and Facebook by searching Troy Athletics.

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Players Mentioned

Michael Alvernaz

Caleb Brown

Zach Douglas

Gemma Finch

Garrison Floyd

Chaun Lynn

Benjamin Martin

Hakim Montgomery

Cameron Rice

Tyson Robinson

Indiya Summerville

Allison Taylor

John Webb

Courtland White