AKRON, Ohio – Western Michigan senior thrower
Taylor Eaton claimed first place in the weight throw as the WMU track and field team wrapped up the first day of action at the 17th Annual Akron Invitational on Friday night.
Eaton threw a distance of 57' 11.25" (17.66m) to best Texas State's Lauryn Small for the win. The throw by Eaton decimated her previous personal best of 56' 0.5" set back at the GVSU Big Meet last season. Fellow senior
Aniya Davis finished just .75" behind Small to take third place with a distance of 56' 8.75" (17.29m). The Broncos had three finishers in the top eight of the event with junior
Madison Ochs taking seventh overall with a new personal-best distance of 53' 2.25" (16.21m).
"It was a great day for the throws squad," said head coach
Makiba Batten. "We have been talking about strategy and pulling each other along so that we get everyone to the finals. Today we executed well and are getting closer to the marks needed for the MAC Championship."
Western Michigan also had a strong showing in the mile run, led by senior
Rebecca McNamee and her second place finish. McNamee's time of 5:03.84 was a new personal best, her second PR in the event this season. Sophomore
Annalise James finished in sixth place with a time of 5:17.57, while senior
Charlotte Ramser took ninth after running a time of 5:30.40.
Freshman
Sarinity Bracey finished sixth overall in the 60-meter hurdles after running a time of 8.99 seconds, another personal best on the day.
Western Michigan is back at it again on Saturday beginning at 12 p.m.
