BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Louisiana Tech All-American Chelsea Hayes captured two events to lead the Lady Techster indoor track and field team at the season opener at the UAB Blazer Invite at Birmingham Crossplex Arena Friday.
Hayes captured the 60-meters and the 200-meters to highlight a total of five individual winners on the women's side. She won the 60-meters with a time of 7.41 (course record) and captured the 200-meters with a mark of 24.19 (course record).
Kenyattia Hackworth won the long jump for the Lady Techsters with a mark of 19-5.25 while Micarra Vassell won the shot put (49-6.25) and Kim Francis took the 60-meter hurdles (8.61).
"All of those were good performances," said Tech head coach Gary Stanley. "Vassell's was a lifetime best for her. It was a good season opener for us. Obviously, Hayes had a tremendous meet."
Other women's performances included Tia Mitchell (39-1.75) finishing third in the triple jump and Vassell finishing eighth in the weight throw (51-11.75). Tech also had two teams finish in the top eight in the 4 x 400-meters.
On the men's side, Alwayne Green was the Bulldogs top individual performer as he placed second in the 800-meters with a time of 1:54.87. Teammate Jermaine Morris placed sixth in the event with a time of 1:56.77.
Kendall Hayes placed seventh in the 60-meter hurdles with a time of 8.06 while Dennis Richardson placed eighth in the 200-meters with a mark of 22.08.
Stanley said he was very pleased with the Bulldogs two teams in the distance medley relay which placed second and seventh.
"We split our men's distance medley relay teams evenly, and a I thought both teams ran very well," Stanley said. "I thought they handled it well and competed well. I was happy with that. This was a good season opener for us just trying to get everyone started."
Tech is scheduled to compete next in the Birmingham Invitational Jan. 26.