Results
ABILENE - Competing against a number of local rivals and former Lone Star Conference foes, the Abilene Christian track and Field program Friday recorded four field event victories during the first day of competition at McMurry University's War Hawk Classic.
The Wildcats today won the women's pole vault, finished first and second in the women's hammer throw, and swept the javelin competition as veterans Amelia Mitchell and Aaron Bynum registered respective distances of 139 feet-8 inches (42.57 meters) and 187-10 (57.27m).
In the pole vault, Abilene Wylie High School alumnae Kenzie Walker defeated five other competitors with a height of 12-0 (3.66m) that tied Annie Allison for 10th place on ACU's all-time outdoor performance list. And in the hammer throw, senior Shalania Lakey edged teammate Lauren Hartwick for first place by a mere two inches, 155-5 (47.37) to 155-3 (47.32), while defeating the rest of the 13-woman field by nearly 15 feet as the third-place finisher (Tarleton State's Brianna Johnson) topped out at 140-6 (42.84m).
Lakey today also placed fourth in the discus, two spots and 16 feet behind newcomer Sydney Shelstead who recorded a runner-up mark of 143-9.25 (43.82) in her collegiate debut. Shelstead recently joined the track team following a solid freshman season with the ACU basketball team in which she averaged 7.4 points and 4.6 rebounds over 30 appearances (12 starts).
Casey Nelson of West Texas A&M won the discus competition over Shelstead by less than two feet with a distance of 145-5.75 (44.34).
The War Hawk Classic continues Saturday at 11 a.m. with the women's 5K and concludes in the early evening with the men's 4x400-meter relay.
Women's Pole Vault
1.) Kenzie Walker - 12-0 / 3.66m (T-10th all-time at ACU)
Women's Discus
2.) Sydney Shelstead - 143-9.25 / 43.82m
4.) Shalania Lakey - 126-11.75 / 38.70m
Women's Hammer
1.) Shalania Lakey - 155-5 / 47.37m
2.) Lauren Hartwick - 155-3 / 47.32m
Women's Javelin
1.) Amelia Mitchell - 139-8 / 42.57m
Men's Pole Vault
4.) Luke Woods - 13-1.5 / 4.00m
Men's Discus
4.) Aaron Bynum - 157-2 / 47.90m
14.) Jelani Rainey - 136-0 / 41.47m
15.) Deandre Key - 130-1 / 39.66m
Men's Javelin
1.) Aaron Bynum - 187-10 / 57.27m
