Koala Indoor Track Kicks off Season at NC JDL Meet

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - The Columbia College indoor track and field team competed at the season-opening JDL Kick-Off Classic at the JDL Fast Track in North Carolina on Saturday in the primarily NCAA D-1 and D-2 meet.

On the women's side, the sprinters were led by freshman Dara Gray placing 23rd overall out of 58 in the 60-meter dash in a time of 7.9 seconds while sophomore Jayla Graham and junior Myikayla Howard tied for 39th in 8.1 seconds. Sophomore Faith Eugene also finished 45th in 8.19 seconds while junior Kwamecia Marks was 50th in 8.35 seconds.

In the 200 meter dash, the Koalas were again led by Gray as she finished 19th out of 52 in 26.1 seconds while Graham was 24th in 26.3 seconds. Marks placed 40th as well in 27.16 seconds in the 200 meters. Then, in the last running event, the 400 meters, the Koalas were led by sophomore Tylashia Alston placing 11th out of 36 runners for a terrific finish and time of just over one minute (1:00.46). Junior Taylor Shiver also finished 28th in 1:06.3 seconds.

In the field events, junior Doreshia McAllister led the Lady Koalas finishing 7th out of 31 competitors in the Weight Throw with a mark of 15.67 meters (51.5 ft) while senior teammate Anaya Canty placed 13th at 13.29 meters. McAllister also had the second best throw among non D-1 schools. Also placing 18th was junior Jada Robinson with a mark of 12.64 meters while sophomore Sia Hooker was 26th at 11 meters.

Canty led the charge in the Shot Put finishing 25th of 44 with a throw of 10.43 meters (34 ft) while freshman Jer'niya Alston was 41st at 8.3 meters. In the women's Long Jump, Columbia was led by Graham placing 17th out of 45 with a mark of nearly five meters (16 ft) while junior Makayla Blango was 18th in 4.98 meters. Freshman Chenoa Haygood also placed 28th with a jump of 4.76 meters. Graham was 7th among non D-1 schools.

Finally, in the Triple Jump, the Koalas were led by Haygood placing 16th out of 24 with a jump of 10.55 meters (34.5 ft) while Blango was right behind in 17th in 10.52 meters.

The team will next be competing in January at the Gamecock Indoor Opener on Saturday, Jan. 10 in Columbia at USC's track.