WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (Feb. 8, 2025) – Behind podium finishes by
Tya Blake and
Deena Ludtke, the ETSU women's track and field team wrapped up competition at the Camel City Distance Invitational on Saturday at JDL Fast Track.
Blake finished second in the triple jump with a season-best mark of 11.48m, while Ludtke finished third in the 1000m with a time of 3:01.8.
Joining Blake in the triple jump was freshman
Akera Molette as she finished sixth with a personal best leap of 11.05m.
Overall, ETSU had three in the top seven of the 1000m.
Bonita Gray placed fourth (3:03.45) and
Ansley Archuleta was seventh (3:08.68). The Buccaneer trio all set personal bests in the 1000m on Saturday. Ludtke and Gray both ran the mile later in the day where they turned in times of 5:08.74 and 5:09.15.
In the 3000m,
Sophie Beach and
Camryn Johnson both set personal best times in the event. Beach clocked in eighth at 10:16.12 and Johnson was right behind in 10:20.48. Beach took 24 seconds off her previous best indoor time in the 3000m, while Johnson's time was 29 seconds better than her prior mark, set last season in Winston-Salem.
For the third straight meet,
Lexi Carter reached the final in the shot put. The Buccaneer freshman placed ninth at 12.11m.
Click
here for full meet results.
QUOTABLES
Below are quotes from ETSU Director of Track & Field/Cross Country
George Watts.
We seemed to have a better day today at the Camel City Invitational.
The highlights included Tya Blake and Akera Molette finishing second and sixth in the triple jump with season bests. Lexi Carter made the shot final for the third time in as many meets – and although she's not completely happy with her performance – she is having a great season in her first year as a Buc.
The track highlights included quite a few personal and seasonal bests by just about everyone competing. Sophie Beach and Camryn Johnson had 20+ seconds pb in the 3000m, finishing 1-2 in their section. Deena Ludtke and Bonita Gray had nice doubles in the 1000m and mile run with PBs in both. The 800m crew competed well led by Meg Lance and Izelle Kruger.
Overall, we continue to improve each week, and it will be interesting to see where we end up on the conference rankings after this weekend's competition. We will take a smaller group to next week's meet and then prepare for the conference championship. We need to get some key people healthy, if possible, for the conference meet, and certainly in time for the start of the outdoor season.
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ETSU heads to Lynchburg, Va. next weekend for the Darius Dixon Memorial Invitational.
For more information on Buccaneer women's track and field, visit ETSUBucs.com and click on the women's track and field tab.
