Byrd, Thomas Set Records at Kickoff Klassic

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - Middle Tennessee's Meaghan Byrd and James Thomas both broke the school record in the weight throw Saturday, highlighting the performances of the track squads at the 16th Annual Kickoff Klassic at the Convocation Center in Jonesboro, Ark.

Byrd placed third for the Lady Raiders in the weight throw with a mark of 51-8, besting her own school record set last season (50-10). Thomas was fourth on the men's side with a mark of 52-5, also breaking his own record set in last season (51-5.5).

For the Blue Raiders, JJ Sturm was fourth in the long jump (23-6.25), with Sean Waller sixth (22-10.25) and Wesley Dupar-Scott eighth (22-2.25). Waller also finished second in the 400-meters in 48.74.

Newcomer Alex Pruitt won the high jump with a mark of 6-6, while Pierre Ingram placed third (6-4) and Julius DeFour was fourth (6-4). In the triple jump, Greg Jones came in third with a mark of 47-2, while Sturm was eighth at 42-11.

Middle Tennessee had three runners in the top seven in the 3,000-meters, with Jonathan Guillou leading the charge in third (8:50.75), followed by Steve Safstrom (6th, 8:54.53) and Derek Dell (7th, 8:55.63).

For the Lady Raiders, Lasean Bell was fifth (45-10) in the weight throw behind Byrd, with Laetitia Florimond placing eighth (40-4). Florimond won the shot put with a mark of 43-8, while Byrd was fourth with a throw of 38-7.

LaToya Brown made her return after missing last season and finished fourth in the high jump with a mark of 5-4. Newcomer Sierra Douglas came in fourth in the long jump with a mark of 18-6.75 and sixth in the triple jump (38-9).

Sara Lunning placed third in the 3,000-meter run in a time of 11:12.53, while Miranda Galloway was fourth in the mile in 5:28.78.

Kerry Barrow finished third in the 400-meters in a time of 59.40, while Kishara George was second in the 800-meters in 2:18.78, followed by Marjorie Gombert in sixth (2:26.57).

The Lady Raiders were 3-4-5 in the 200-meters, with Tiffany Owens in third (25.44), Antranettte Stringer in fourth (25.45) and Barrow in fifth (25.47).

Owens came in second in the 55-meters in 7.19, with Stringer in fifth (7.27). Candice Robertson placed fourth in the 55-meter hurdles in 7.32.

Middle Tennessee hosts the Christmas Invitational next Saturday at Murphy Center. The indoor season then resumes January 16-17 at the Kentucky Invitational in Lexington, Ky.

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