EVANSVILLE, Ind. - The University of Evansville men's and women's indoor track teams will compete for the first time in 2019, when they take part in the Mastodon Invitational at Fort Wayne this Saturday.

"Everyone had an awesome practice Wednesday", said University of Evansville men's and women's track coach Don Walters. "I feel like we're ready for what promises to be a big weekend of great competition." 

The Aces will look to build on their impressive performance at the UIndy Opener on December 1, as they saw several school records broken as well as a trio of top finishes.

On the women's side, sophomore middle distance runner Anna Lowry took first place in the 1 Mile race, out distancing the field by better than 30 seconds. Freshman Taiza Alexander broke through in her first collegiate competition, setting individual school records in the 60 meter (8.18) and the long jump (4.78 meters). Sophomore thrower Brittany Corley also set a pair of new school marks in the the shot put (9.43 meters) and the 20 lb weight throw (10.45 meters). Junior Monica Watkins set a new school record in the 200 meter (20.38), as did freshmen Erin Nixon in the high jump (1.42 meters) and McKenna Sapp in the pole vault (3.21 meters).

As for the men's team, junior Stanley Chepchieng will look to follow up his stellar performance in Indianapolis last month, when he took top honors in both the 800 meter (2:00:11) and the triple jump (13.40 meters). Freshman Nick Ryan introduced himself to Aces fans, winning the long jump with a distance of 6.45 meters, with fellow freshman Alan Kerstiens finishing just behind him with a jump of 6.42 meters. As for school record setters, junior sprinter Aaron Straight set a new mark in the 200 meter with a time of 24.75. Fifth year senior Everett Plocek broke the school record in the 400 meter with a time of 55.04. Senior thrower Ryan Freeman set new school marks in both the shot put (12.72 meters) and the 35 lb throw (11.08 meters).

The meet is set to start at 10 am central time at Fort Wayne's Lutheran Health Fieldhouse.
 

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