Troy Indoor Finishes Fifth and Sixth at Samford Invite

Friday, February 9

Birmingham, Ala.

ALL DAY

Troy University

Samford Open

Troy Indoor Finishes Fifth and Sixth at Samford Invite

2/12/2018 9:52:00 AM | Track & Field

Final Results

By: Jace Sanders

Final Results

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Troy men's and women's indoor track and field teams came away with fifth and sixth place finishes in the Samford Invitational at the Birmingham CrossPlex for one last primer before the Sun Belt Indoor Championships next week.

The Trojans posted several individual top 8 performances throughout the day, highlighted by wins in the men's weight throw and men's 200-meter dash.

Michael Alvernaz set a meet and school record of 20.35 meters on his way to victory in the weight throw. The throw also qualified Alvernaz for the USA Track and Field Indoor Championships in Albuquerque, N.M., this weekend.

Freshman Amir Harris provided the Trojans with another event win in the 200-meter dash. Harris finished at 21.51 seconds and broke a seven-year-old school record set by Payton McGhee in 2011.

On the women's side, Niata Alexander ran a season-best 24.32 seconds in the 200-meter, which was good enough for second place and eight points for Troy.

Up next for the Trojans is the 2018 Sun Belt Indoor Track and Field Championships at the Birmingham CrossPlex February 19-20.

Quotable – Director Marc Davis
"We had a good final meet going into the Sun Belt Championships on the women's side. We wanted to have a light load and go in to the Championship meet with momentum. On the guys side, we had continued great performances. Mike qualifying for USA's was a huge accomplishment for him. Jared Hayes and Amir Harris continued to compete at a high level, so we are really looking forward to the outdoor season."

Notable
• Hakim Montgomery has won five consecutive 60-meter dash finals that he has competed in, dating back to 2016. He also had the fastest time in the qualifying rounds of all three competitions last season and in the Camel City Invite this season.

• Michael Alvernaz continues to rewrite Troy's indoor record books, breaking his own record in the weight throw four times this season. Indiya Summerville broke her own school record in the shot put in the first three meets of the year.

• All but one of Troy's seven indoor meets will be held at the Birmingham CrossPlex – including the Sun Belt Indoor Championships in February.

• The December 1 meet marked the earliest start in Troy's track and field history.

• Five returning Trojans have NCAA postseason experience entering this year. Junior Hakim Montgomery has earned a trip in each of his first two seasons.