COLUMBUS, Ga. – The GRU Augusta Men's and Women's Track & Field teams opened up their 2014 season this weekend at the Cougar Invite in Columbus, Ga. This event marked the first time that track & field athletes have competed wearing the blue and silver of Georgia Regents University.
The men finished off the day high up in the team standings, walking away with a second place finish overall. Dustin Ross claimed the top spot in the men's 800m race, winning in a time of 1:56.32. Caleb Watson, who was not far behind Ross, crossed the line in fourth with a time of 1:58.79. In the 110m hurdles, freshman Taylor Coxwell sprinted across the line in 16.51 seconds, earning him third in the event. Nick Del Guercio and Jaiden Brandt competed well in the 1500m race. Crossing the line in fourth and fifth, the pair nearly finished side-by-side recording times of 4:05:65 and 4:06.00 respectively.
On the women's side, JaVoni Canty had a record setting performance in the women's discus throw. Canty's throw of 37.86m was good for third place in the competition, as well as a new school record. Aaliyah Pettway recorded a time of 1:01.09 to take fourth in the women's 400m dash, and Olivia Rodriquez recorded a fifth place finish for the Lady Jags in the 1500m with a time of 5:06.82.
Both squads were represented well and will look to improve upon their performances in two weeks at the Coastal Carolina Invitational on March 14-15. The event will be hosted by Coastal Carolina University, located in Conway, S.C.
Full results of the 2014 Cougar Invite can be reached through the link below: