MAGNOLIA, Ark. – Despite a constant rain throughout the men's and women's hammer events on Friday at the Third-Annual Dan Veach Invitational, the Southern Arkansas Track and Field throwers shined as the groups combined for 11 top five finishes, a pair of event wins and two new program records. Athletes competed in the hammer and javelin events inside the Mulerider Track and Field Complex and the action set the stage for what should be an eventful Saturday in Magnolia.
 
In the women's hammer throw, which saw 13 athletes compete in the rain, the Lady Muleriders placed athletes in the second, fourth and fifth positions. Senior T'Keyah Crockett was the top SAU Woman in the event on Friday as she notched a toss of 144' 6". Senior Erica Fuller followed in fourth place at 131' 7" and freshman Teresa Reed placed fifth at 130' 8" which is a personal best for the rookie.
 
Women's Hammer Results
 
Better weather rolled in from the west as the women's javelin event began and nine athletes competed for the individual title which saw Reed top her freshly minted program record, which she set last week at the Harding Invitational, by over eight feet. Her first-place finish of 132' 5" is 6' 1" more than last week's best which broke an 18-year school record.
 
Additionally, Friday's throw narrowly edged Harding's Jenni Nadeau who placed second at 132' 4". Reed's new program record is now the top mark in the Great American Conference this season.
 
Senior Emily Potts recorded a third-place finish at 92' 7", while freshmen Shardanay LaMark (90' 6") and Rebecca Miner (81' 6") placed fourth and fifth, respectively. All three of those marks are personal best performances.
 
Women's Javelin Results
 
In the men's events, senior Sinclair Pitts dominated the hammer throw as he registered a personal-best toss of 172' 2" to claim first place honors. The mark tops his own program record from last season by six inches. Sal Guli followed in second place with a long throw of 143' 9", which is a personal best for the sophomore. Dre' Lawson recorded a fifth-place result at 128' 10".
 
Men's Hammer Results
 
The men's javelin event saw senior Richard Barkhimer garner third-place honors at 159' 2", while former Mulerider thrower and current SAU Women's Basketball Graduate Assistant Lane Wood placed fourth as an unattached athlete with a throw of 142' 3".
 
Men's Javelin Results
 
A full slate of action is on tap at the Mulerider Track & Field Complex on Saturday as day two of the Dan Veach Invitational is set to begin at 9 a.m. For a full list of events, visit https://muleriderathletics.com/sports/2016/12/7/dan-veach-invitational.aspx?id=69.