Multiple ETSU sprinters qualify for finals, Bradtmueller and Charles finish 1-2 in 5K

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (Jan. 11, 2019) – The ETSU Track and Field Invitational officially began the indoor season for the Blue and Gold on Friday, as numerous Bucs competed at home inside the ETSU/MSHA Athletic Center.

A handful of Bucs qualified for finals in sprinting events, the field side saw some high finishes and senior Adam Bradtmueller (Sarasota, Fla.) took gold in the 5000m run to highlight Day One of ETSU’s season-opening home meet.

ETSU Director of Track and Field George Watts said today’s opening meet served as a learning experience for the team heading into tomorrow and the rest of the season.

“Although we did not compete close to our full teams, I was pleased with our first day efforts at the ETSU Track and Field Invitational,” Watts said. “Other than the normal nerves and some rust to knock off, we're never quite sure what we'll get at our first track and field meet each year.

“Normally, our upperclassmen are a little more relaxed than our freshmen, but we hope all of them will have a positive experience and give the coaches an idea of their fitness level. We look forward to day 2 and seeing how our kids respond in the finals and other open events.”

Track Highlights from Day One

• Bradtmueller and junior Noah Charles (Johnson City, Tenn.) blew away the competition with a 1-2 finish in the 5000m run. Bradtmueller turned in a 14:52.11 time, while Charles was right behind at 14:54.10. The third place finisher from Appalachian State was well behind at 15:20.72.

• The Bucs had successful preliminary runs in the 60 meter hurdles as senior Lamisha Simmons (Hollywood, Fla.) and freshman Lanaya Martin (Columbia, S.C.) each qualified for tomorrow’s final. Simmons ran an 8.87 for the third best time, while Martin had the sixth best qualifying time at 9.10.

• Simmons, Martin and senior Kiana Davis (Ooltewah, Tenn.) made tomorrow’s 60 meter dash final with successful prelims with Davis leading the Bucs with the second best time — 7.70. Martin was not far behind at 7.76 — highest among freshman — while Simmons was the last qualifier with a time of 7.83.

• Senior transfer Wes Pectol (Greeneville, Tenn.) made his ETSU debut in the 800 meter, placing fifth at 1:58.36. Teammate Josh Routh (Gray, Tenn.) was not far behind in seventh, clocking in at 1:59.79.

• Despite not qualifying for the final, redshirt freshman Kashif Warren (Knoxville, Tenn.) ran a personal best in the 60 meter dash with a time of 7.17.

• Freshman Kyle Noe (Maryvillle, Tenn.) finished right behind Warren in the 60 meter dash prelim with a 7.25 time in his collegiate debut. Noe also competed in the 400 meter dash prelim and finished at 55.28, missing out on qualifying.

• Four Bucs competed in the women’s 200 meter prelims, led by senior Starr Graham (Alpharetta, Ga.) who just missed qualifying for the finals with her 11th best time of 25.78.

Field Highlights from Day One

• Making her ETSU debut, freshman Mekayla Brown (Elgin, S.C.) had a solid showing in the women’s triple jump, placing third with a mark of 11.49 on her first of six attempts.

• Sophomore transfer Paige Peterson (Alpharetta, Ga.) also competed for the first time in a Blue and Gold uniform, finishing sixth in the triple jump at 11.04m. Redshirt-freshman Aliyah Hill (Snellville, Ga.) recorded a 10.39m mark.

• In the first event of the day, the women’s weight throw saw all three ETSU athletes place in the top half of the field. Sophomore Symphony Buxton (Knoxville, Tenn.) led the group in fourth with a mark of 15.92m.

• Senior Margaret Hayden (Ballymore Eustace, Kildare, Ireland) followed close behind Buxton with a mark of 14.59m, and sophomore Jaden Finch (Glen Aubrey, NY) recorded a 14.09m throw.

• Freshman Kolin Miller (Lebanon, Tenn.) made his ETSU debut in the men’s weight, placing sixth with a 15.15m toss.

Thoughts from Coach Watts

On successful prelims: “We had a victory, some personal bests and several people advancing to tomorrows finals. It was great to see seniors Kiana Davis and Lamisha Simmons advancing in one of their primary events and freshman Lanaya Martin qualifying for two finals."

On field and multi-performers: " Overall I thought we did a nice job throughout the event areas. Oftentimes our field event athletes struggle with their technique early in the season, but after today I feel they have a good base going forward. Early in the season we try to run all of our kids in one of their secondary events to go along with their primary discipline. I felt we had success in both scenarios.”

On throwers and the triple jump: “We had solid performances in the men's and women's weight throw and women's triple jump.”

Highlight of the Day: “The highlight of the meet was the 1-2 finish by Adam Bradtmueller and Noah Charles in the 5000m run.”

For a full schedule of the meet and results after day one of the ETSU Track and Field Invitational, use the links on the right side of this page.

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For more information on ETSU track and field, visit ETSUBucs.com and click on the track and field pages. Also, follow the program on Twitter @ETSU_TF_XC and on Instagram at the handle @etsuxctf.