Track team makes good showing at Samford invitational
(Left) Matthew Clarke (Right) Vinnelle Grant. Both Clarke and Grant provided extreme witt and talent to the track invitational.
January 22, 2022
The Alabama State University Hornets completed another weekend of action in Birmingham, AL. for the Samford Invitational. The field events would bring most of the success with top finishes for Mahogany Vinson, Daniel Bayesha and Matthew Clarke.
Clarke would be the top-finisher for men’s sprints. Clark advanced to the preliminary round in the 60-meter dash running 6.92 seconds. He then ran 6.4 seconds in the semifinals to place 11th overall. In the pole vault, Cedric Jones placed fifth for the second consecutive week with a distance of 3.92 meters. Bayesha would lead the team in the shot and weight throw finishing eighth and 15th, respectively. The men’s side would round out action with Top-15 finishes in the high jump by Nicholas Mosley and Marcus Cade.
Vinnelle Grant held the women’s side with a third place finish in the 400-meter-dash in 57.94 seconds. Her teammate, Ulani Toussaint, would follow close behind, finishing third in a time of 59.72. The remaining running events rounded out with a Top-20 finish for Jamila Thomas in the mile and Top-15 for Rebecca Bernardin and Shamia Jones.
The women’s field division introduced three athletes in the shot put, A’Nylah Cobb, Lauren Hughes, and Mohogany Vinson. Cobb placed 23rd while Vinson finish eighth with a distance of 12.20 meters.
“It felt good to be able to run track again. I’ve always wanted to and I am happy coach Beene allowed me to join,” Cobb said. Cobb, Hughes, and Vinson are also members of the Alabama State University volleyball team. They will look to continue their success as dual-sport athletes.
Members of the track team were also recognized by the SWAC for their performance at the University of Alabama Birmingham and Vulcan Invitational. Cade is named Field Athlete of the Week after his win in the long jump and second-place finish in the triple jump. Shamia Jones is named Female Track Athlete of the Week after her fifth- and ninth-place finishes.
The Hornets will travel to Lexington, Kentucky for the Rob McCravy Invitational for a two-day meet Jan. 28-29.
