Strong Performances at Walsh (Ohio) Invitational for WLU
NORTH CANTON, Ohio β Several members of the West Liberty University track teams made an impact here Friday as the Walsh (Ohio) Invitational concluded at the Dan McCallion Track.
Β Β Β Sophomore distance ace Hannah Kemp shattered a 21-year-old school record in the 1,500-meter run while a quartet of Hilltopper men's runners made a big move up the Mountain East Conference and Atlantic Region leaderboard with stellar performances.
Β Β Β Kemp, the reigning MEC Cross Country Runner of the Year, became the first WLU woman to break the 5-minute mark in the 1,500 meters with a time of 4:54.63. That easily eclipsed Kristen Hetzel's previous school standard of 5:00.59, which had been on the books since the 1999-2000 outdoor season.
Β Β Β Kemp's time was third-best in the MEC this spring and ranks among the top 10 so far in the Atlantic Region.
Β Β Β On the men's side, Tavian Richardson won the 800-meter run in near-record time with Michael Harriman placing third. Phil White hit the tape first at 5000 meters with Danah Phillips notching a third-place finish, as well.
Β Β Β Richardson just missed breaking one of the oldest records in the WLU books. His winning time of 1:53.86 was less than a second off the existing mark of 1:53.10, set all the way back in 1976 by West Liberty Hall of Famer Bruce Cox. Harriman wasn't far behind with a time of 1:55.13, giving the Hilltoppers the top two times in the MEC this spring.
Β Β Β Richardson ranks No. 2 in the Atlantic Region with Harriman at No. 4.
Β Β Β It was a similar story at 5000 meters as White (15:04.45) and Phillips (15:18.80) returned home with the two fastest times in the conference this spring. White's time ranks second in the Atlantic Region with Phillips at No. 4.
Β Β Β The West Liberty men and women will be in action Saturday when they travel to Buckhannon, W.Va. for the Jasmine Claggett Invitational, hosted by West Virginia Wesleyan.