Byrd, Thomas Lead Tracksters at Boston Moon Classic

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - Meaghan Byrd's personal-best in the discus and a school record by James Thomas in the hammer throw highlighted five first-place finishes Saturday for the Middle Tennessee track teams at the Boston Moon Classic in Nashville, Tenn.

Byrd led a strong contingent in the field events for the Blue Raiders and Lady Raiders, posting her PR with a mark of 134-0.5 to win the event. Lady Raider Lasean Bell had two second-place finishes, in the hammer throw (134-6) as well as the discus (119-7).

Senior Kelley Enoch placed third in both the shot put (37-4.5) and javelin (109-7.5). The only other Lady Raiders in competition were Marjorie Gombert and Sara Lunning, who finished second (2:17.43 - season best) and sixth (2:28.88), respectively, in the 800-meters.

For the Blue Raiders, freshman Alex Pruitt won the high jump with a season-best 6-10.75, while Julius Defour was second, clearing 6-6.

James Thomas broke his own school record in the hammer throw with a mark of 163-2, finishing second in the event. The sophomore also placed second in the shot put (47-3.25) and discus (147-8). Nick Diel was fourth in both the shot put (41-11.25) and discus (123-8.5 - season best) and placed sixth in both the hammer throw (141-5.5 - season best) and javelin (129-2.5).

Senior Lindsay Sims won the javelin with a mark of 196-2, while finishing fifth in the shot put (41-4), discus (118-9) and hammer throw. Willie Parker, redshirting this year for Middle Tennessee and competing in the meet unattached, won the shot put with a mark of 47-9.25 and placed third in the hammer throw with a mark of 141-9.

Matthew Young had a first-place finish, this one in the 3000-meter steeplechase in 10:35.98, while Danny Catino was third (11:21.77) in the event. Steve Safstrom also won the 1500-meters in a time of 4:06.99, with Benvictor Sang finishing third (4:09.13) in the event.

Both Middle Tennessee track teams will compete in the Vanderbilt Invitational next weekend in Nashville. Also, the track seniors will be honored before Tuesday's baseball game against Memphis, with activities beginning at approximately 6:40 p.m. at Reese Smith Field.

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