Track team sets its sights on Athens

“I think we have a good group of girls who can really put their marks on the school record books if things go well.” -Assistant coach Don Yentes

Marshall University’s track and field team heads to Athens, Ohio, this weekend for the Cherry Blossom Invitational.

The Herd is participating in the meet after a successful weekend at the Raleigh Relays in North Carolina last weekend.

According to Marshall athletics, about 2,500 athletes competed at the Raleigh Relays.

Sophomore Antonique Butler excelled in the triple jump, placing her in the top 10 of Marshall’s school record books in the event.

In the 4×400 meter relay, the team of Loren Dyer, Naja Greer, Shyra Molton and Shanice Johnson scored the most points for the Herd by finishing fourth out of 30 teams.

Assistant coach Don Yentes said the weather was not the best for the sprinters to perform well Friday.

“I was just really kind of pleased that we got through it without any major injuries or anything like that,” Yentes said. “I think it maybe showed a glimpse of how good that they could be.”

Freshman sprinter Andrea Chidester did not compete at the Raleigh Relays because she sprained her ankle before the meet.

Chidester is running the open 200-meter at Athens for the first time this season.

“I think we’ll do well,” Chidester said. “We have a pretty good team altogether, and they’ve been working hard. So we’ll see how it goes.”

Freshman Danielle Wright is competing  in four events this weekend, including the javelin, 4×100-meter relay, hurdles and the long jump.

Though Wright has four events to prepare for this weekend, she said she is most looking forward to running the hurdles.

Last season at the Cherry Blossom Invitational, the Herd returned to Huntington with four first place victories.

Coach Yentes said the competition is not as fierce this weekend compared to the Raleigh meet.

“We’re just trying to get a good workout at the meet,” Yentes said. “I think we have a good group of girls who can really put their marks on the school record books if things go well.”

The meet begins Saturday at the Goldsberry Track at Ohio University in Athens, Ohio.

Kasey Madden can be contacted at [email protected].